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ROMANTIC INDIANA 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 

A Dramatic Pageant 



SEVEN EPISODES 

WITH 

PROLOGUE AND TABLEAUX 



By 
AUGUSTA STEVENSON 



£027 



INDIANAPOLIS 

THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 



Copyright 1916 
The Bobbs-Merrill Company 



J-527 



if 



%i 



BRAUNWORTH & CO. 

BOOKBINDERS AND PRINTERS 

BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



JUL 26 1916 
©CID 44461 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

PROLOGUE. Indiana Claimed by La Salle for France . 1 

ACT I. Indiana Under France 5 

Episode I. When Coureurs Roamed Our Woods . . 7 
Episode II. In Old Vincennes on a Wedding-Day . . 33 

ACT II. Indiana Under the English 63 

Episode I. The Priest and the Spy 65 

Episode II. A Hero Comes Out of the Wilderness . 1 14 

ACT III. Indiana Under the Stars and Stripes , . . .145 

Episode I. Tecumseh's Warning 147 

Episode II. Under the Spell of the Prophet .... 170 
Episode III. The Battle of Tippecanoe 177 

TABLEAUX „ . „ 185 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 



PROLOGUE 

INDIANA CLAIMED BY LA SALLE 
FOR FRANCE 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 

PROLOGUE 

Characters 

chevalier robert de la salle 
frenchmen indians 

Time — i66p. 

Place — Southern Indiana', Ohio River. The 
forest extends almost to edge of river at back, 
leaving only a narrow strip of white pebbled 
shore. Beyond is a beautiful vista of the river 
winding among steep, wooded hills. 

Curtain shows some ten Frenchmen standing 
on shore under arms. Near by stand three Indian 
guides. All look silently at La Salle, zvho directs 
the placing of a large cross in a recently dug hole 
on shore. As the cross is lifted and put in posi- 
tion by two Frenchmen, the other Frenchmen 
uncover and chant the Te Denm. The cross is 
made of bark and on it is a wooden tablet with 

1 



2 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

the words — Louis le Grande, Roy de France et 
de Navarre, 1669. 

After the Te Deum, La Salle lifts his hand and 
proclaims — 

LA SALLE 

In the name of the most high, mighty, invin- 
cible and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by 
the grace of God, King of France and of Navarre, 
I, Robert La Salle, fourteenth of that name, this 
year of one thousand six hundred and sixty-nine, 
have taken, and do now take, in the name of his 
Majesty and of his successors to the crown, pos- 
session of this valley of the River Ohio, and of 
all lands, rivers, lakes and streams contiguous 
and adjacent thereunto. Also of all nations, 
tribes and villages within this said country, de- 
claring to the peoples thereof that from this time 
forth they are vassals of his Majesty; bound to 
obey his laws. Declaring to all other princes, 
sovereigns, states and republics — to them and to 
their subjects — that they can not and are not to 
seize or settle upon any parts of the aforesaid 
countries, save only under the good pleasure of 
His Most Christian Majesty, and of him who will 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 3 

govern in his behalf. Of which, and of all else 
that is needful, I hereby take to witness those who 
hear me this day. 

Lifts his sword aloft. 
I claim this land for France, in the name of King 
Louis the Grand. Vive le Roi! 

FRENCHMEN 

Vive le Roi! 

A volley is fired. Then the hymn of 
the Vexilla Regis is sung. 

"The banners of Heaven's King advance, 
The mystery of the Cross shines forth;" 
Etc. 

Curtain 



ACT I 

INDIANA UNDER FRANCE 



ACT I— EPISODE I 

Characters 

officer second coureur 

priest third coureur 

indian fourth coureur 

trader fifth coureur 

first coureur sixth coureur 

soldiers, warriors, indian girls 

Time — 1685, Autumn. 

Place — Mouth of the Maumee River. 

Scene — Forest, with great trees and mass of 
grape-vines and brush. River at one side. Hut on 
other side almost concealed by vines. A small 
birch canoe appears on river. In it is a solitary 
Indian. He stops paddling and looks about, then 
rises and beckons off, up-stream; lands; springs 
from canoe and stands waiting, looking up- 
stream. Presently canoes appear containing a 
French officer, a Jesuit priest and six French sol- 
diers. They land. 

7 



8 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

OFFICER 

To Indian. 
Brother, are you certain of this place? 

INDIAN 

Brother, it is here always — here at mouth of 
River Maumee. 

OFFICER 

Have you seen these white men here yourself? 

INDIAN 

Many times see them, brother — many times. 

OFFICER 

Do they meet the traders here ? 

INDIAN 

Here, brother, with their beaver skins. Trad- 
ers wait there and sleep. 

Indicating hut at side. As officer and 
priest turn to hut, Indian crosses to it 
swiftly; pushes door open; looks in; 
turns to others who have followed 
him. 
Trader there — he sleeps. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 9 

OFFICER 

Wake him, brother, and tell him we have come. 

INDIAN 

'Twould anger him — he comes from far — he 
goes to far — he sleeps on for long time. 

OFFICER 

The king's business can not wait on a nap. 

Turns to a soldier. 

Wake this sleeper, and tell him the Senior Officer 
in command at 'Quebec has come, and with him a 
Jesuit priest. 

Soldier salutes; crosses; enters hut. 

'Tis rare good luck to find this trader here, 
Father. He can inform us concerning these ras- 
cals we seek. 

PRIEST 

It were best to speak carefully; he may be in 
league with them. 

OFFICER 

Oh, they are all in league with one another — 
these fur-traders and Indians and bush-lopers. 



10 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

But that is about to end now. Indeed, I shall 
arrest this man if he attempts to deceive me. 

Enter soldier from hut, followed by a 
French trader. He is short of stature 
and swarthy. 

TRADER 

Saluting. 
Senior Commander ! 

Bows head to priest, who makes sign of 
cross over him. Sees soldiers; starts. 

Soldiers — here — here in this wilderness ! 

OFFICER 

Sharply. 
Aye, trader, and come with certain intent — a 
matter that concerns some of your friends, per- 
haps. I speak of those young men from Canada 
who have taken up their abode in these woods. 

TRADER 

Ah ! The Coureurs de Bois! 

OFFICER 

Call them what you will — coureurs — voyageurs 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 11 

— woodsmen — bush-lopers. 'Tis all the same, 
and will meet the same fate in prison. 

TRADER 

In alarm. 
Prison ! 

OFFICER 

King Louis has ordered their arrest, and to 
that end laws have been passed against every 
white man living in the woods ; against the trad- 
ers who furnish them with goods; against any 
who conceal or harbor them; and even against 
those who have any knowledge of them, and will 
not inform the authorities. So, fellow, if you 
would not be seized yourself, tell us what you 
know. Come they not here to sell you their furs? 

TRADER 

They do, Senior Officer. This place is their 
rendezvous. 

OFFICER 

And why this place, forsooth ? 

TRADER 

'Tis the heart of a great hunting country — 



12 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

there are swamps and lakes and marshes. The 
beaver is plentiful, and 'tis easy to get to the 
Great Lakes, or to the Wabash and Ohio. 

OFFICER 

Are you waiting for these woodsmen now ? 

TRADER 

I am expecting them to-day. Have any com- 
mitted a crime, sir? 

OFFICER 

Aye — a crime unspeakable. 

TRADER 

Why, I have not heard of it ! 'Tis strange, too, 
for news travels quickly in these forests. The 
Indians carry it from tribe to tribe, and I hear 
all the gossip. But not one word have I heard 
of crime. 

PRIEST 

The Commander means crime against France, 
trader, in the lives these woodsmen live. They 
will not remain in our settlements, but insist 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 13 

upon living with Indians, and adopting their 
habits and customs. 

TRADER 

Tis true — they do. And they marry Indian 
squaws. 

OFFICER 

Quickly. 
.You are certain of that? 

TRADER 

I know what every trader knows. 

OFFICER 

That confirms the reports I have heard. 

PRIEST 

It is a dreadful state of affairs! .These men 
come from good Canadian families; many of 
them are noblemen from France. 

OFFICER 

Their names, or rank, shall not save them. I 
will seize them — every one ! 



14 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

TRADER 

'Twill be difficult to do, sir; the Indians are 
their friends. There seems to be a peculiar tie 
between them. I can not understand it myself. 

PRIEST 

Methinks 'tis because our young men are so 
wild and daring. It appeals to the imagination of 
the Indian. 

OFFICER 

Growling. 
'Tis because of the deviltry in them all. 

To trader. 
How many of these rascals, think you, are roam- 
ing these forests to-day ? 

TRADER 

An hundred or so — 

OFFICER 

There are eight hundred of them! 

TRADER 

I am astonished, sir! They come to trade in 
small groups. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 15 

PRIEST 

Do they seem to regret their lives — their sepa- 
ration from the church and its teachings ? 

TRADER 

Somewhat embarrassed. 

'Tis a point they do not discuss with me, 
Father. 

OFFICER 

What care they for religion ! 

Singing in the distance — male voices. 

TRADER 

'Tis they who come ! Tis the coureurs! 

Singing heard nearer — a love song 
sung with spirit. 

OFFICER 

I would know 'twas they from their music. 

TRADER 

'Tis not exactly a hymn — 



16 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

PRIEST 

Sadly. 
No, 'tis not a hymn. 

To Officer. 

'Twould be well to conceal the soldiers for a 
time. It may be we can reason with these cou- 
reurs and win them by our pleadings. 

OFFICER 

To please you, Father, I will, but I have no 
faith in soft words. 

To soldiers. 

Enter the hut there — and let no word be spoken. 

Soldiers go to hut, close door. Canoes 
appear containing six conreurs. They 
are young and reckless Canadians 
and Frenchmen. Many show refine- 
ment of features, and bear them- 
selves as aristocrats. They are 
dressed in picturesque costumes — 
leathern shirts worn outside panta- 
loons, and gay-colored caps with tas- 
sels. They jump from canoes and 
draw them on shore, not seeing 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 17 

others. Some are still singing chorus 
of song. 

FIRST COUREUR 

Well, what say you? Has the trader come 
or no? 

SECOND COUREUR 

If here, he is sound asleep. 

TRADER 

Crossing to them. 
Aye ! He is sound asleep ! 

Conrenrs laugh, start to meet trader; 
see others and stop; show suspicion. 

PRIEST 

Advancing to them. 

You need not show distrust, gentlemen. We 
come here as your friends. 

FIRST COUREUR 

We have yet to receive friendship from your 
kind, sir. For years we have been bitterly as- 
sailed by all wearers of cassock and gown. 



18 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

COUREURS 

Indignantly. 
Aye! 

FIRST COUREUR 

To officer, haughtily. 
Nor have we more confidence in your glitter 
and gilt. You will please to explain your pres- 
ence. 

OFFICER 

Indignantly. 

As if an officer must explain! This land be- 
longs to the king of France. 

FIRST COUREUR 

On paper it may be printed so, but this land is 
his who lives here. 

COUREURS 

Aye ! It is ! It is ! 

OFFICER 

You are boasting a little too soon, sirs. King 
Louis is exceedingly wroth with you and I have 
been sent to tell you. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 19 

SECOND COUREUR 

Lightly. 

What have we done to anger his dear Majesty 
so? That is — what new have we done? There 
has always been some feeling. 

OFFICER 

Exploding. 

You know well enough what you have done! 
You have abandoned your homes in Canada. 
There is scarce a young man left among us. 
There are none to till the soil. There are no 
brickmakers, no potters, no pilots, no sailors. 
Our mines and fisheries are being developed by 
the English. And you are to blame for all this — 
you and the hundreds like you. You would 
rather run wild in the woods than live like civil- 
ized men. 

FIRST COUREUR 

And rather would we become wild than pay 
King Louis his unjust demands. One-fourth of 
our beaver skins does his Majesty require ! One- 
fourth of the proceeds of our labor — labor so 
full of hardship and danger ! 



20 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

COUREURS 

Aye — aye ! 

OFFICER 

Must you needs all hunt for a living? You 
know that his Majesty has forbidden it. A few 
only can go forth to the woods, and these must 
bear a license — as this trader does. The rest of 
you are outlaws ! 

SECOND COUREUR 

Lightly. 

Then outlaws we'll remain. The role fits us 
very nicely. 

THIRD COUREUR 

Lightly. 

And besides, we love the life of the forest — it 
suits our poetic temperament. 

Officer glares at him. Coureurs laugh. 

FOURTH COUREUR 

We love the solitude of the hilltops — the quiet 
of the valley and plain. 'Tis mysterious — soul 
inspiring! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 21 

FIFTH COUREUR 

We love the shimmering rivers and the sheen 
of the sparkling lakes. 

SIXTH COUREUR 

tWe love the distant mountains — we love their 
eternal blue mist. 

OFFICER 

Sarcastically. 
And likewise you love squaws ! 

Courenrs laugh heartily. 

FIRST COUREUR 

As we love all nature so deeply, we can not 
exclude the squaws. 

C our ears laugh. Priest turns away. 

OFFICER 

Sternly. 

'Tis like you to take things lightly. Now 
harken to me, whilst I repeat the king's com- 
mands. You are to repair at once to the settle- 
ments — you are to engage in some regular work 
— and finally, you are to marry. 



22 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

COUREURS 

Astonished. 
Marry ! 

OFFICER 

Marry. 

SECOND COUREUR 

Lightly. 

Did his Majesty specify as to age, or size, or 
color? 

FOURTH COUREUR 

How many wives can we take at one time ? 

Officer about to explode with anger. 
Priest interposes quickly. 

PRIEST 

This matter is most serious, gentlemen. I 
pray you take it so. The king wishes you to 
marry French girls who live in the settlements! 
The reasons for this are weighty. England's 
colonies are spreading now to the westward. 
Farther and farther do her settlers come, and 
ever with wife and family. Good homes do they 
build, and they till the soil and labor diligently. 
Soon there will be colonies of these industrious 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 23 

folk on our very frontier — colonies ever multi- 
plying. 

OFFICER 

Whilst Frenchmen roam the woods. 

FIRST COUREUR 



But if one marries, he must work. 



PRIEST 

That is the point precisely. The king wishes 
you to do your part in a community life. Thus 
will France grow strong in this land — thus hold 
her own 'gainst the English. 

SECOND COUREUR 

France has her soldiers to protect her interests. 

PRIEST 

France needs you to form new settlements for 
her. 

THIRD COUREUR 

I like not the thought of laboring as the Eng- 
lish do. 'Tis far more exciting to hunt. 



24 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

OFFICER 

Sternly. 

You will hunt now in another quarry — among 
the Canadian girls in Quebec. 

FOURTH COUREUR 

And after that the plow — 

OFFICER 

With a shrug. 

Well, be that as it may. My duty is done with 
your marriage. 

FIRST COUREUR 

iWell — I, for one, will not do it ! 

OFFICER 

Eh? You will not? 

FIRST COUREUR 

I'll not till the soil for any maid in Christen- 
dom! 

OTHER COUREURS 

No! Nor I! Nor I! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 25 



PRIEST 

Gentlemen — I pray you! Make no such hasty 
decision. Have you no love for France in your 
hearts? Would you see her lose this fair land, 
and England her conqueror ? 

SECOND COUREUR 

Such a thing is impossible. France is far too 
strong. 

PRIEST 

France is as strong as you — and you — and each 
one of you. If you fail her she will perish. 

OFFICER 

And more — England will send her fur-traders 
here in such numbers your business will be ruined. 

FIRST COUREUR 

That can never happen. The Indians are our 
friends; they will never trade with the English. 
They hate them bitterly. 



26 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

TRADER 

Indians will trade where there is gold and lib- 
eral supplies of rum. And the English have both 
in plenty. 

OFFICER 

Can't you see your danger, men ? 

PRIEST 

Can't you see the danger for France ? 

FIRST COUREUR 

I see naught but a plow and a white maid who 
yokes me to it. Eh, comrades? Is that not the 
picture ? 



Aye! 



COUREURS 

Canoes have come filled with Indian 
girls — from sixteen to twenty years. 
Men do not see them. They land 
silently and take fnrs from canoes. 
Second coureur discovers them; 
points to them as he speaks to officer. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 27 

SECOND COUREUR 

There! That is the proper spirit in a wife! 
They help our fur trade along. 

Other courcurs laugh. Priest shows 
disgust. Girls cross to conreurs car- 
rying furs on their backs. 

FIRST COUREUR 

Take the furs to the hut and pile them in one 
corner. 

TRADER 

No — no! The hut is filled with merchandise 
and the furs I have bought. Here — pile them 
under this tree. I'll see to them by and by. 

Girls pile furs under tree. 

OFFICER 

Attend to that business now, trader. These 
men are going back to Quebec. Courcurs, I de- 
clare you under arrest ! 

FIRST COUREUR 

Bowing* 

T Tis easier said than done, Officer. 



28 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

FIFTH COUREUR 

Bowing. 

And does no harm to any one, so far as I can 
see. 

SIXTH COUREUR 

Bowing. 

With no hard feelings on either side — 

Coureurs laughing. Officer crosses to 
hut; pushes door open. 

OFFICER 

Speaking off. 
Come ! Seize these men ! 

Enter soldiers with leveled muskets, but 
coureurs are too quick. They face 
soldiers with muskets aimed to fire. 
Indian girls run off into woods utter- 
ing loud cries. 

Will you come with me or no ? 

FIRST COUREUR 

Give orders to fire, and we'll shoot you first ! 

Priest steps between soldiers and cou- 
reurs. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 29 



PRIEST 

A truce for one moment, Officer ! 

OFFICER 

A truce then for one moment ! 

All lower guns, but stand rigidly on 
guard. 

PRIEST 

To coureurs. 

You refuse to listen to the appeal of the State, 
but you can not close your ears to the Church. 
Woe to you if you oppose her commands ! Woe 
and eternal damnation! 

Lifts small cross which hangs on rope 
from his waist. 

Look you upon this dear cross — the cross of our 
bleeding Christ ! In His blessed name come our 
missionaries here to labor among the savages. In 
His sweet name they tell His story and beg them 
to live in peace and decency. And miracle of 
miracles, the savages have heard — many of them 
have been converted. But alas for the faith of the 
Church ! You and your kind are undoing all that 



30 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

our missionaries have done. You are showing 
them by your sinful lives the depths to which a 
white man can fall. You are degrading the cross. 
You are dragging it through mire and filth — you 
are betraying again our dear Savior. You know, 
too, and you know full well, what our mission- 
aries have suffered — the toilsome journeys in cold 
and in heat — the swamp fevers — attacks of wild 
beasts — the tortures of slow death by fire, at the 
stake of hostile Indians. Yet all this you set at 
naught ! It can not be that you realize the per- 
nicious effect of your conduct. It can not be that 
you have given it one thought. But think on it 
now, men, and open your hearts. 

Holds cross aloft. 

Kneel, men, to this cross ! Kneel in confession of 
your sins ! Kneel for the salvation of your souls ! 
Kneel to your precious Christ ! 

C our ears have lost their air of defiance. 
Some show humiliation and hang 
their heads. Some seem about to 
kneel. They look at one another and 
hesitate. Suddenly savage yells are 
heard just off and some 'fifty Indian 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 31 

warriors ritsh in. They are armed 
with clubs and muskets. Indian girls 
follow them, remaining back. War- 
riors brandish clubs and give war cry. 
They cover retreat of coureurs, who 
run to canoes and embark. Indian 
girls embark in other canoes and fol- 
low them. Warriors then retreat to 
woods; disappear — and suddenly 
there is silence. 

OFFICER 

Tis useless to follow and attack. They out- 
number us three to one. 

TRADER 

'Twould be worse than useless, sir. 

Coureurs heard singing same ballad in 
near distance. They sing gaily and 
impudently. 

PRIEST 

Shame! Shame! If France ever loses this 
beautiful land 'twill be because of those rene- 
gades. 



32 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

OFFICER 

If it depends on them, Father, France has lost 
it now. 

Chorus 6f A song comes floating back 
over the water. 

Curtain 



ACT I— EPISODE II 
Characters 



MADAME BUSSERON 
MONSIEUR BUSSERON 
FIRST WOMAN 
SECOND WOMAN 
THIRD WOMAN 
FOURTH WOMAN 
FIFTH WOMAN 
FIRST MUSICIAN 
SECOND MUSICIAN 
A CHILD 
A TINY CHILD 
FIRST CITIZEN 
SECOND CITIZEN 
THIRD CITIZEN 



CAPTAIN ST. ANGE 
ISABEL RACINE 
JULES RACINE 
JEAN LAUNAY 
FIRST TRADER 
SECOND TRADER 
THIRD TRADER 
FOURTH TRADER 
FIFTH TRADER 
SIXTH TRADER 
SEVENTH TRADER 
EIGHTH TRADER 
OFFICER 
SOLDIER 



BRIDESMAIDS, RELATIVES, TRADERS, CITIZENS, 
CHILDREN, SOLDIERS, INDIANS 

Time — 1763, Spring. 
Place — Post Vincent on Wabash River. 
Scene — A tiny Catholic church made of white 
adobe. Clustered about it are tiny white adobe 
33 



34 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

houses thatched with straw; each with its arcade 
festooned with trailing vines, and half hidden 
under the bloom of peach, cherry and apple trees. 
Each has a tiny do or yard gay with masses of 
blooming flowers. Back, is a narrow street, and 
back of that, the entire length of scene, is the fort 
with its towers. Gate to fort in center; French 
flag over gate. At curtain the space about church 
and the street are thronged with dark-eyed young 
women and men. All are Canadian French, and 
all are in gala attire. Women wear gay dresses of 
French peasant style, and large straw hats. Men 
wear pantaloons and shirts, with sashes tied 
around waist and falling down behind; gay- 
colored handkerchiefs are knotted about heads. 
All are chatting together merrily. Children are 
seen in dooryards. Suddenly dance music is heard 
off, and several young men enter, playing violins. 
They are gaily dressed as others. Children rush 
to square in center and dance. People applaud 
and dance a bit themselves. Enter Madame Bus- 
seron — a handsome French woman of mature 
years. She looks on scene with displeasure ; claps 
her hands for attention, and calls out sharply to 
musicians. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 35 

MADAME 

Stop! Stop! Let the music cease! 

Musicians stop instantly. Children stop 
dancing. People are at once silent 
and look at Madame with respect, 

FIRST WOMAN 

Aside to companion. 

Tis Madame Busseron, the wife of the rich 
fur-trader. 

MADAME 

You do wrong to play whilst there is a wed- 
ding in the church, my friends. 

FIRST MUSICIAN 

With regret. 

Ah, Madame Busseron — I offer you a thou- 
sand apologies ! 

Bozvs profoundly and gracefidly. 

SECOND MUSICIAN 

B owing. 
I beg your pardon, too, Madame ! 



36 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

OTHERS 

Bowing. 
And I! And I! 

FIRST MUSICIAN 

We forgot the wedding for the moment, Ma- 
dame. 

SECOND MUSICIAN 

We did — we forgot it entirely. 

A CHILD 

I forgot it, too, when the music played. 

A TINY CHILD 

So did I, Madame. 

FIRST WOMAN 

I would beg your pardon, too, Madame. 

FIRST CITIZEN 

Bowing. 
And I, Madame! 

OTHERS 

And I! And I! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 37, 

MADAME 

Kindly; smiling. 

I understand — 'twas only a moment of forget- 
fulness. It takes an older head to think of these 
little points of decorum. And then, besides, 'tis a 
personal matter with me. The bride is a relative 
of mine. 

VOICES 

Why, to be sure! To be sure! 

SECOND WOMAN 

You have missed the ceremony, Madame, it 
must be almost over. 

MADAME 

I shall not enter now — I will wait here for the 
procession. I am vexed, too, to miss it. My hus- 
band came back unexpectedly from a five months' 
hunt for furs. And other traders came with him, 
to the number of ten. I had dinner to get for 
them all. And hungry they were as bears. 

THIRD WOMAN 

'Twas indeed a great task for you, Madame. 



38 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

MADAME 

Lightly. 
Oh, I gave them cake and wine ! 

Others laugh. 

SECOND CITIZEN 

Looking off. 
Here come your husband and guests, Madame. 

MADAME 

Looking; showing vexation. 

Nor has he stopped to change his clothes, as I 
expressly did command. 

Enter Monsieur Busseron and ten trad- 
ers. All are Canadian French. All 
wear hunting costumes. 

BUSSERON 

Gaily. 
I have disobeyed you, Madame. 

MADAME 

I am vexed with you, Pierre. Tis a gala day 
in Post Vincent — we've had no wedding this long 
time. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 39 

BUSSERON 

For that very reason I could not stop to hunt 
out satins and laces. So long have we been in 
the woods we feared to lose one minute. 

TRADERS 

Aye! 

All laugh. 

BUSSERON 

Come, Madame, we will attend the wedding. 

MADAME 

'Tis too late, Pierre. 

BUSSERON 

At least we can see them about the altar, and 
hear the priest bless the bride and groom. Come, 
I would not miss it for a dozen beaver skins ! 

MADAME 

Graciously. 
Well, then, to please you, I shall. 

Busseron gives Madame his arm. They 
cross to church and enter. 



40 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

FIRST TRADER 

To citizens. 

Who is the bride? I did not think to ask 
Madame. 

FIRST WOMAN 

She is Mademoiselle Isabel Racine. And she 
is very young, and has a beautiful gown from 
France. 

SECOND WOMAN 

It was her mother's, who came from France, 
and who has been dead this long time. 

FIRST TRADER 

Ah, yes — her father is Jules Racine — a fur- 
trader, who came recently here from Quebec. 

To traders. 
We know him well — 

TRADERS 

Nodding. 
Aye! 

FIRST TRADER 

Whom does Mademoiselle marry? 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 41 

FIRST CITIZEN 

Jean Launay, age twenty. 

FIRST TRADER 

Starting. 
Jean Launay, the coureurf 

FIRST CITIZEN 

Aye, he is indeed a courenr. That is well 
known to us all. 

SECOND TRADER 

I can scarce believe mine ears! Does her 
father favor her marriage to a vagabond of the 
woods ? 

SECOND CITIZEN 

So far as we know, he does. 

THIRD TRADER 

'Tis unbelievable ! These coureurs are in league 
with the English, and take them their furs, 
though England is at war with France. 

Citizens start; show indignation. 



42 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

THIRD CITIZEN 

'Tis a crime if it be true! Came this knowl- 
edge as a hearsay to you ? 

FIRST TRADER 

Nay, we have proof positive. We suspected 
them for months. Then we sent our spies to 
watch them — some trappers from Canada. 

FOURTH TRADER 

And they caught them red-handed at it ! 

FIFTH TRADER 

Aye! And the English paid them more gold 
than the skins were worth, and more than we 
could afford to pay. 

SIXTH TRADER 

Their English king had given it them to cut us 
out from the trade. 

SEVENTH TRADER 

They are taking the bread from our mouths ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 43 

EIGHTH TRADER 

We will be ruined completely ! 

FIRST CITIZEN 

'Twill ruin us all — for we all trade in furs 
more or less. 

SECOND CITIZEN 

These coureurs should be thrown into prison! 

VOICES 

Aye ! Aye ! They should ! 

THIRD CITIZEN 

'Tis the first we have known of it here. 

SECOND TRADER 

The bride's father knew. He has been out in 
the woods this season. We spoke him on the 
River Maumee in March. 

FIRST TRADER 

And I myself did tell him in regard to these 
coureurs j and did relate the proof of our spies. 



44 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

THIRD CITIZEN 

Tis very strange, that ! Did Monsieur Racine 
seem disturbed ? 

FIRST TRADER 

Aye, he did, and cried out that the coureurs 
should be driven straightway from the woods. 

FIRST WOMAN 

[Then why does he marry his daughter to one ? 

OTHERS 

With suspicion. 
Aye! 

FIRST TRADER 

Harken, friends, and I'll tell you what I myself 
believe. 

All gather closer about first trader. 

I believe, as God rules in Heaven, that Jules Ra- 
cine is in league with these Coureurs de Bois. 

Exclamations of astonishment from 
citizens. First trader continues. 

I tell you he means to profit through them, by 
their illegal trade with our enemy. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 45 

SECOND TRADER 

He has seen our trade falling off and thinks to 
feather his nest. 

THIRD TRADER 

Aye, with English gold — gold of a foe we de- 
spise ! 

FOURTH TRADER 

Out upon Jules Racine ! 

OTHERS 

'Excitedly, 
Out upon Jules Racine ! 

FIRST CITIZEN 

We may be too hard on him, friends. It may 
be the fault of his daughter, of whom he is very 
fond. She is said to be head over heels in love 
with this Coureur Jean Launay. 

FIRST WOMAN 

Well, be that as it is, I have remarked more 
than once lately how pale Isabel was looking. 



46 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

SECOND WOMAN 

And ever she carries her eyes downcast, as if 
she were most unhappy. 

THIRD WOMAN 

I have heard her sigh, too, the sigh that comes 
from sorrow. 

FOURTH WOMAN 

Myself I have noticed her thinness. She has 
never been so frail in her life. 

FIFTH WOMAN 

'Tis very like her father is forcing her to marry 
this rascal Jean. 

VOICES 

Indignantly. 
Aye! Aye! 

FIRST TRADER 

And besides, coureurs rarely marry French 
girls — they prefer squaw wives in the forest. 
Are we then to believe that this Coureur Jean 
deliberately walks into Post Vincent and chooses 
a white wife himself? 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 47 

VOICES 

Nay! 

SECOND TRADER 

He has been urged to do it by the girl's father. 
He has been paid for it well, you may know. 

THIRD TRADER 

The whole plot was without doubt hatched in 
the woods this spring, soon after we saw and 
spoke him. 

Cries of indignation from others. 

THIRD CITIZEN 

Jules Racine should be sent to the fort there, 
and put in irons at once ! 



Aye 



OTHERS 

Door to church opens; priest heard 
chanting. All make sign of cross. 
Enter bridal procession from church. 
First come many young girls, dressed 
in white and carrying garlands of 
flowers. Then come bride and groom 
— Isabel and Jean Launay. The bride 
is very young (sixteen years); is 



48 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

pretty, slender, and walks with eyes 
downcast. She wears a white dress 
with veil, and carries flowers. Jean 
is a handsome and daring young man 
of twenty years. He wears his pic- 
turesque courenr costume zvith gay- 
colored cap and tassel; wears szvord 
at side; seems to be proud and happy. 
Then comes the father, Jules Racine, 
in gala attire, with sword. The Bus- 
serons follow. Then come other rela- 
tives. There is dead silence for a mo- 
ment. The bride looks up, surprised. 
So do the groom, Racine and others. 

FIRST TRADER 

There he is ! There's Jules Racine, the traitor ! 

SECOND TRADER 

There's the vagabond, Jean Launay ! 

VOICES 

"Angrily. 
Traitor! Traitor! Vagabond! 

Procession stops. People continue to 
yell and make threatening gestures. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 49 

RACINE 

What does this mean, friends ? 

FIRST TRADER 

Call us not "friend" — you trader for English 
gold! 

RACINE 

"Astonished. 
English gold ! I ! 

SECOND TRADER 

You ! And the bridegroom there ! 

COUREUR 

Defiantly. 

Be careful how you hurl your insults at me! 

THIRD TRADER 

And what will you do, you bush-loper ? Your 
vagabonds are not around you now with their 
squaws ! 

COUREUR 

Drawing sword. 
Defend yourself! 



50 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

THIRD TRADER 

Taking sword offered by a citizen. 
Come on ! Come on ! I am ready ! 

RACINE 

Drawing sword. 
And I ! I am ready, too ! 

FIRST TRADER 

Taking sword offered by a citizen. 

Defend yourself, Jules Racine ! 

They fight. Bride screams. Enter 
French Commander, Captain St. 
Ange, from fort, with guard of sol- 
diers. 

ST. ANGE 

Sternly. 

I command you to stop ! Stop ! I will speak but 
this once. 

Duelists obey, but reluctantly. 

Now tell me the cause of this trouble. 

A babble of angry voices rises. St. 
Ange lifts his hand for silence. 

Monsieur Racine — speak ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 51 

RACINE 

They set upon us at once we left the church, 
Captain. I know not what the cause. 

FIRST TRADER 

Lies! Lies! You know full well. You're in 
league with the English, Jules Racine ! 

VOICES 

Aye ! Aye ! He is ! 

RACINE 

I deny it, Captain ! I deny it to you all ! 

ST. ANGE 

To first trader. 
What proof have you of your accusation? 

FIRST TRADER 

He has forced his daughter to marry this 
C our ear de Bois! 

PEOPLE 

Aye! Aye! 

Coureur steps forward threateningly. 



52 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

ST. ANGE 

Sternly. 
Peace! Peace! 

RACINE 

Again I deny, Captain! Isabel married of her 
own free will. 

FIRST TRADER 

Bah ! Lies again ! Naught but lies ! You have 
forced your girl to marry, that you might have 
English gold. That coureur there trades secretly 
with them — 

COUREUR 

Stepping forward. 
Now I will speak ! 

ISABEL 

Throwing herself in front of him. 

No — I — I ! Captain St. Ange, I was not forced 
to marry my Jean. I married him because I loved 
him. My whole heart is his, and my soul ! 

Jean kisses her hand and puts his arm 
about her protectingly. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 53 

ST. ANGE 

You honor yourself by speaking, Madame. 

To people. 
Your suspicion was unjust, friends. 

SECOND TRADER 

Coureurs do not marry white girls and come to 
town to live. 

COUREUR 

Gaily. 

And yet you see, it has happened ! For this dear 
maid I will endure your town, and yoke myself 
to a plow. 

ST. ANGE 

Smiling. 
There now — all is settled — 

FIRST TRADER 

No, Captain St. Ange, it is not. Will you pass 
over so easily a thing that threatens our trade? 
This coureur sells furs to the English — we have 
proof positive of it. 



54 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

VOICES 

Angrily. 
Aye! Aye! 

St. Ange lifts hand for silence. Cou- 
reur gives bride to Racine and steps 
forward. 

COUREUR 

Easily, impudently. 

Well, and suppose I do have English gold! 
What can be done about it! The king of 
France drove us to trade with the enemy, when 
still we lived in towns. We refused to give him 
the lion's share of our furs. Then he ordered us 
under arrest, and forbade us to sell our furs in 
any French trading-post. So what would you 
have us to do ? Lie down in the forest and let the 
birdies feed us? Thank you, dear townspeople 
— no! 

Bows profoundly, hand on heart. 
Women laugh, pleased, and com- 
pletely won over. Many men show 
change of attitude, but traders still 
scowl. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 55 

ST. ANGE 

Smiling. 
There ! 'Tis quite understood now by all. 

THIRD TRADER 

Growling. 

No daughter of mine shall live on English 
gold! 

OTHER TRADERS 

Nor mine ! Nor mine ! 

ST. ANGE 

To traders. 

Those are brave words, but you do not mean 
them, my friends. Your one hope in life is to live 
easily, and labor as little as possible. You will 
not work in the fields as the English do — you till 
barely enough ground for your gardens. Nor 
will your women- folk weave or spin — they prefer 
to work with flowers. So flowers, forsooth, we 
have. This post is one great garden of blooming 
rose, and lavender, and purple hyacinth. 

Women nod and smile, pleased. Men 
are softened gradually. 



56 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

A YOUNG MATRON 

Do you condemn that in us, Captain? 

ST. ANGE 

Condemn! God bless you — no! I love it in 
you, as all Frenchmen do. And the hands that 
tend flowers are prettier far to us than those that 
weave and spin. 

All laugh, pleased, but traders. 

And Jules Racine is only like the rest of you. He 
would see his daughter among her flowers where 
this handsome Jean can place her. 

ALL 

But traders. 
Aye — aye ! That's true ! 

ST. ANGE 

Let the procession proceed! Let the music 
play ! Let dancing and feasting follow ! 

Musicians play a gay air. Procession 
reforms and goes. People follow, 
dancing, singing and laughing. All 
go but St. Ange, guard and traders. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 57 

Traders talk together, aside, while St. 
Ange watches procession. They now 
cross to him, seeming to have come 
to some conclusion among them- 
selves. 

ST. ANGE 

Somewhat displeased. 
Ah! You have stayed — 

FIRST TRADER 

We would speak with you further, Captain, in 
regard to this Coureur Jean Launay. We liked 
not the way you did wink at his offense. 

ST. ANGE 

Gentlemen, now that we be alone, I will tell 
you plainly that we dare not quarrel with these 
coureurs. They are the tie that binds the Indian 
to us. They protect us from the tomahawk. 

SECOND TRADER 

The Indians are friendly to all Frenchmen. 
They incline to us naturally and desire us to live 
in this land. Why, then, do we need the coureurs f 



58 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

ST. ANGE 

Because the Indian inclines to the one who has 
power. He hates the English now, but let Eng- 
land win in this war with France, and he will go 
over to her speedily. 

THIRD TRADER 

Why talk such absurdities ! England can never 
conquer France. 

TRADERS 

Nay — never ! 

ST. ANGE 

Since you force me, then, I will confess. This 
day I have received certain news from Quebec 
that I hoped to keep from you for a time. Gen- 
tlemen — England has conquered France ! 

Traders show stupefied astonishment. 

FIRST TRADER 

Eh? What is that you say! England vic- 
torious ? 

ST. ANGE 

It is true, friends. France has made a treaty 
of peace with her, and ceded her this land. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 59 

FIRST TRADER 

Sir — it can't be possible ! 

ST. ANGE 

Here is my message from the Commandant at 
Quebec. 

Takes paper from pocket and hands to 
traders, who look at it as if they mis- 
trusted their sight. 

As you see, I am commanded to give up this fort 
to English troops — we are to wait for their 
arrival. 

SECOND TRADER 

'Twill mean the utter ruin of us ! English set- 
tlers will come farther and farther. They will 
soon have their fields in our hunting-grounds. 

THIRD TRADER 

'Twill be the end of our trade ! What shall we 
do, Captain ! Tell us what we shall do ! 

ST. ANGE 

Kindly. 

You must give up trapping and hunting, and 
plant fields as these English do. 



60 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

FOURTH TRADER 

'Tis not in our blood to work so! 

FIFTH TRADER 

We can not compete with them. 

SIXTH TRADER 

'Twill mean starvation to us ! 

ST. ANGE 

I would I could help you, friends, but there is 
naught that I can do. Our whole thought now 
must be to retain the friendship of the Indians. 
They are sure to be angry because of the treaty 
with England. They will feel that France has 
betrayed them, for the treaty was made without 
their consent or knowledge. 

FIRST TRADER 

And the English will do all in their power to 
turn the Indians against us. 

TRADERS 

Aye ! They will — they will ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 61 



ST. ANGE 



Do you see then how important to have the 
coareurs for our friends ? 



SECOND TRADER 



It is as you said, Captain. They stand between 
us and the tomahawk. 

ST. ANGE 

Then away with you to the wedding feast and 
take the Coureur Jean by the hand ! 

Pause — traders reflecting. 

FIRST TRADER 

Gaily. 

Come, friends! We'll tell Jean we wish him 
well. 

TRADERS 

Heartily. 
Aye! Aye! 

They go. St. /Inge enters fort with 
escort. 

Curtain 



ACT II 

INDIANA UNDER THE ENGLISH 



ACT II— EPISODE I 
Characters 

FATHER GIBAULT 
FRANCIS VIGO ENSIGN GARRET 

COLONEL HAMILTON CAPTAIN 

CAPTAIN HELM LIEUTENANT 

MERCHANT FIRST ORDERLY 

MRS. MARTIN SECOND ORDERLY 

AMERICAN GIRL YOUNG BRAVE 

MAJOR HAY OLD BRAVE 

CITIZENS, OFFICERS, INDIANS, SOLDIERS 

Time — 1779, January, 

Place — Vinccnnes. The fort. 

Scene — Interior officers' quarters. Colonel 
Hamilton is playing cribbage with Major Hay. 
Other officers are smoking, and shaking dice at 
fireplace. All wear scarlet uniforms of British 
army. At curtain, there are exclamations from 
winners and losers. Enter an orderly; crosses to 
Hamilton; salutes. 

65 



66 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

ORDERLY 

Your Excellency, Ensign Garret has returned 
with his Indians. 

HAMILTON 

Interested. 
Ah ! I will see Ensign Garret at once. 

Exit orderly. Hamilton rises and turns 
to officers. Hay rises. 

Gentlemen — 

Officers are at once all attention. 

The scouting party I sent to Kaskaskia to capture 
the American rebel, Clark, has returned. We 
shall no doubt have news of importance. 

HAY 

'Tis most like our men have seized this Clark 
and put his men to death. 

HAMILTON 

No doubt. Clark is no soldier and his handful 
of men are nothing but backwoodsmen. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 67 

CAPTAIN 

But, Colonel, they somehow managed to over- 
throw a strong British force at Kaskaskia. 

HAMILTON 

They took our men by surprise. And the 
French settlers were deceived as to their number 
and so submitted to them. But that condition 
can not last — the French fear the British too 
much to support the American cause. 

HAY 

And they know full well that Clark and his 
hundred or so frontiersmen can not capture this 
great Northwest from England. Why, the thing 
is absurd! No one but a foolhardy man would 
attempt it. 

LIEUTENANT 

Fancy marching into a British stronghold with 
only the arms they can carry — and no ammuni- 
tion to speak of. 

CAPTAIN 

This Clark has courage — we must admit. He 



68 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

has not only persuaded men to follow him, but he 
has found the means to equip them. 

HAMILTON 

Only to fall into our hands as a prisoner and 
have his romantic excursion ended by a British 
firing squad. 

Enter Ensign Garret, an experienced 
English soldier. He salutes Hamil- 
ton. 

Well, Ensign, did you bring Clark back with you ? 

GARRET 

Your Excellency, I regret to report a failure. 

HAMILTON 

Failure ! Did you not carry out my plans ? 

GARRET 

To the letter. We proceeded to Kaskaskia and 
formed an ambuscade near the road that leads to 
the fort. But 'twas all in vain, your Excellency. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 69 

HAMILTON 

So Clark still holds our fort at Kaskaskia? 

GARRET 

Yes, Colonel Hamilton, and he has given the 
oath of American citizenship to the French in- 
habitants of the town. 

HAMILTON 

Forced them to take it, you mean. 

GARRET 

Whichever way, he has won them over com- 
pletely and they are now celebrating the event 
with joy. They have decorated the streets and 
have frequent processions and singing. More- 
over, they are advising the Indians to take up the 
American cause. 

HAMILTON 

This is most serious ! Twill affect the French 
here at Vincennes. It may influence them to aid 
Clark in an attack upon us in the spring. 



70 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

GARRET 

I doubt if Clark waits till spring, Colonel. He 
has given it out in Kaskaskia that he means to 
attack Vincennes soon. 

HAMILTON 

Tis mere talk to influence the French and In- 
dians ! He can't get here to attack. The Wabash 
has overflowed until the lowlands between here 
and Kaskaskia are a succession of lakes and 
swamps. 

LIEUTENANT 

He might transport his men in canoes — 

GARRET 

He can't get boats enough, it seems. He was 
sending men out for them daily. 

HAMILTON 

Again, all a pretense ! The weather is too in- 
clement to transport an army in canoes. He must 
perforce remain in Kaskaskia till spring. And 
then, gentlemen, I shall carry out my plan of 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 71 

attacking him. Reinforcements will be sent us 
soon from Detroit and I will muster a thousand 
Indians. 'Twill be an easy matter to put Clark's 
rebels to rout and drive them out of the country. 

OFFICERS 

Aye! 

HAMILTON 

In the meantime, we must keep the result of 
this expedition a secret from our American pris- 
oner. He is one of Clark's chief officers and 
might influence the Vincennes people through 
their merchants who come to the fort. Indeed, 
I shall take the precaution of making him think 
'twas a success. Lieutenant, you may escort Cap- 
tain Helm here. 

Exit lieutenant. Hamilton continues. 

We must also prevent our Indian allies from 

hearing of our failure. Can we keep it from 

them till spring, all will be well. Our rein- 
forcements will turn the tide in our favor. 

CAPTAIN 

I doubt if they will be influenced, Colonel. 



72 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

Your plan of paying bounties on scalps has won 
them over to us completely. 

HAMILTON 

Aye, for the time, but 'tis the custom of the 
Indians to give their support to the victor. So 
we must load all who come with presents and give 
them liberal supplies of rum, whether they can 
pay or no. See to that, Captain, at once. 

CAPTAIN 

I will, Colonel, at once. 

Exit captain. Enter lieutenant with 
Captain Helm, an American of mid- 
'die age. He wears buckskins; has no 
insignia of rank; is courteous but 
fearless. Hamilton and Hay remain 
at table. Other officers retire to fire- 
place. 

HAMILTON 

I have certain news for you, Captain Helm — 
news 'tis well you should know lest you place un- 
due hopes on your American cause — our expedi- 
tion was a success. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 73 

HELM 

Anxiously. 
Was General Clark made a prisoner ? 

HAMILTON 

How could he escape ! He fairly walked into 
our ambuscade — he and all his men. His last 
chance is gone, if indeed he ever had one. So it 
would be well for you to join us, Captain, and 
fight under the British flag. We would give you 
a rank equal to that you hold, and we would re- 
joice to receive you among us as one of our 
brother officers. 

HELM 

I could not consider that, Colonel; I am an 
American by birth — I could not desert my coun- 
try. 

HAMILTON 

All false sentiment, Captain. This country 
belongs to England by right, and England ere 
long will assert that right. Your General Wash- 
ington will be imprisoned, and your General 
Clark will be hung. So think it over, sir. You 
need not decide to-day, nor even yet to-morrow. 



74 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

We will be patient with you — we realize that you 
have been misled by your leaders, who are 
merely fighting for their own ambition and glory. 
So think it over, Captain Helm, think it over. 

Enter orderly; crosses to Hamilton. 

ORDERLY 

Your Excellency, some Indians have come with 
a prisoner. 

HAMILTON 

Interested. 
An American? 

ORDERLY 

No, your Excellency. He is a Spaniard — a 
fur-trader. 

HAMILTON 

With indifference. 

He can wait till to-morrow. But give the In- 
dians whisky and gifts. 

ORDERLY 

The captain is seeing to it. And, your Excel- 
lency, the American woman from Vincennes is 
waiting with Captain Helm's dinner. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 75 

HAMILTON 

She may bring his meals here henceforth. 

Exit orderly. 

HELM 

I thank you, Colonel, for your consideration. 

Retires to a bench in a distant corner. 
Enter orderly showing in Mrs. Mar- 
tin, a courageous and attractive 
American woman of some twenty- 
five years. She carries a baskets- 
wears a long cloak and fur hood; 
crosses to Helm. Officers continue 
cards. 

MRS. MARTIN 

Loud voice. 

I've brought you something good this time, 
sir ! Just look at this baked duck, will you ! Did 
you ever see anything handsomer ? 

HELM 

Loud voice. 
Never, Mrs. Martin, never! 

Low voice. 
Any news to-day ? 



76 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

MRS. MARTIN 

Low voice, as she spreads napkin on 
bench. 

Yes. There is a new prisoner — I spoke with 
him secretly in the court. He is a spy sent by 
General Clark. He says the general escaped the 
ambuscade and is safe in the fort at Kaskaskia. 

Hamilton looks toward corner. She at 
once resumes loud voice; holds up 
plate with duck. 

'Tis stuffed, too, with many good things just as 
the French women prepare them. There are 
nuts and bread and oil. 'Twill delight you, Cap- 
tain, I know. 

HELM 

I am delighted now, Madam. 

Low voice. 
Who is the spy? 

MRS. MARTIN 

With low voice as she places dish on 
bench. 

A Spaniard — Francis Vigo. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 77 

HELM 

Low voice. 

Vigo ! I know him well — he is a splendid man ! 
He is a rich trader of St. Louis. 

MRS. MARTIN 

Low voice. 

He wants to know the number of men in the 

fort and where the cannon are placed and the 

powder. 

Loud voice. 

And here is fresh-baked bread, Captain ! Tis as 

good as any I ever made, though I do say so 

myself. 

Low voice. 

I'll speak with him when I go out. Tell me every- 
thing — quick ! 

HELM 

Tasting bread; loud voice. 

Tis excellent, Madam, excellent ! 

Low voice. 

The powder magazine is under this floor — the 
cannon are in the towers. 

Hamilton and Hay glance toward cor- 
ner. Mrs. Martin sees them. 



78 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

MRS. MARTIN 

Quickly. 

And here is honey, sir. Tis fresh from a 
honey tree. 

HELM 

You are very generous, Madam. 

MRS. MARTIN 

Oh, you are paying me well ! 

HELM 

Low voice. 
You know the number of soldiers? 

MRS. MARTIN 

Low voice. 
Yes. 

HELM 

Low voice. 
Tell him they expect reinforcements soon. 

MRS. MARTIN 

Low voice. 

I'll tell him if it is possible. Eat, sir, they will 
notice you. 

Helm eating. Enter second orderly. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 79 



ORDERLY 

Your Excellency, a merchant of Vincennes has 
come with produce, and merchandise for the of- 
ficers. 

HAMILTON 

Tell the quartermaster to buy at his discretion. 
Then send the merchant here with his pack. 

Exit second orderly. Hamilton aside 
to Hay. 

I would we did not need to depend so on these 
French merchants ! It vexes me greatly. But we 
have no other source of supplies at present — the 
garrison would starve without them. 

HAY 

We can refuse his merchandise at least. We 
will receive clothing when our reinforcements 
come in the spring. 

HAMILTON 

To be sure! I will refuse him with contempt. 
These French must be made to realize that the 



80 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

English are their masters, despite our defeat at 
Kaskaskia. Tell the officers to buy nothing. 

Hay crosses to officers and speaks with 
them aside. Enter orderly with 
French merchant — a middle-aged 
man of worth. He carries a large 
pack which he puts down at once as 
if heavy. 

MERCHANT 

Bowing affably. 
Your Excellency ! Officers ! 

They stare at him with cold disdain. 

I have wonderful things for you, gentlemen! 
I bought them myself in Quebec. And the mer- 
chant there assured me that they came in the last 
ship from France. But you shall see for your- 
selves — how beautiful. 

Turns to open pack. 

HAMILTON 

We want none of your French stuff, sir. It 
offends our eyes to behold it. Now take your 
pack and begone ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 81 

MERCHANT 

'Astonished. 

Why, your Excellency — ! What have I done 
to anger you ? 

HAMILTON 

What have you done? You are French — that 
is enough. You and your brood are constantly 
conspiring against the English. 

MERCHANT 

No, your Worship — no ! That was years ago — • 
in Pontiac's time. 

HAMILTON 

Aye, and you still keep it up. We are ever 
rinding arms that the French have given to In- 
dians. 

MERCHANT 

Maybe some French traders have turned 
Americans. But His no trader from Vincennes. 
Have we not taken the oath of allegiance to our 
English king? 

HAMILTON 

Yes, and you will keep it, if you know what is 



82 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

good for you. Do you know how Americans 
would treat you if they became your masters? 

MERCHANT 

No, your Excellency, I know not — 

HAMILTON 

I will tell you then. They are worse than sav- 
ages after a victory. 

MERCHANT 

What ! Do they torture their prisoners ? 

HAMILTON 

To be sure they do, and worse. They will seize 
your women and keep them as their slaves. They 
will separate families. They will seize your 
lands — they will burn your homes. They will 
rob you of all you possess in this world, and care 
not what is your end. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 83 

MERCHANT 

Alarmed. 

I knew not they were such fiends ! I will tell 
my people — I will tell all Vincennes ! 

HAMILTON 

The sooner you tell them the better. Now 
take your pack and be off ! 

MERCHANT 

But, your Honor, I bought certain goods for 
you — such things as you said you wanted. And 
the officers, too, ordered many things — 

HAMILTON 

We have changed our minds about it. 

MERCHANT 

But I lose much money, your Excellency ! 

HAMILTON 

We want nothing from you but your produce. 
Now be off — be off with you! 



84 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

MERCHANT 

But, your Honor — 



HAMILTON 



To orderly. 



Put the beggar out ! 



MERCHANT 

With dignity. 

I will go, your Honor. But first I should like 
pay for the produce. 

HAMILTON 

I will pay when it suits my pleasure. Orderly — 
Orderly crosses to merchant. 

MERCHANT 

Your privates owe me much money. 

HAMILTON 

You can settle that in the barracks. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 85 

MERCHANT 

Will your Honor not give me an order on 
them? 

HAMILTON 

I'll not trouble myself with the matter. Col- 
lect from the men, if you can. 

Aside to orderly. 
Tell them not to pay. 

Orderly salutes; goes out with mer- 
chant, who leaves pack. Officers 
seem to compliment Hamilton aside 
on his method. 

MRS. MARTIN 

r Aside to Helm. 

I will go now whilst the soldiers are occupied 
with the merchant. 

HELM 

Twill be a good time. Tell Vigo he must 
fight for his life. 

Mrs. Martin nods and starts off. Ham- 
ilton sees her; shows suspicion. 



86 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

HAMILTON 

Why do you go, Madam? The captain has 
not finished his dinner. 

MRS. MARTIN 

I thought I would get my dishes to-morrow, 
Colonel — I am in no hurry for them. 

HAMILTON 

You will wait here till an orderly can conduct 
you to the gate. 

Mrs. Martin retires to corner. Enter 
second orderly; crosses to Hamilton. 

ORDERLY 

Your Excellency, the Indians say their prisoner 
is an American spy. 

HAMILTON 

Where did they capture him? 

ORDERLY 

Between here and Kaskaskia. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 87 

HAMILTON 

Bring him before me at once. 

Exit second orderly. Hamilton leaves 
table. Helm retires back. Enter sec- 
ond orderly with Colonel Francis 
Vigo, a Spaniard of forty years. He 
is dressed as a trader. Helm shows 
recognition; is anxious and alarmed. 
Enter several young braves. Hamil- 
ton turns to them. 

My children, where did you capture this man? 

YOUNG BRAVE 

Father, in the land of the Illinois. 

HAMILTON 

Was he coming this way from Kaskaskia? 



YOUNG BRAVE 



Yes, Father. 



HAMILTON 

Did you search him for papers or letters ? 



88 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

YOUNG BRAVE 

Yes, Father. No letter— no paper— nothing. 
But he is spy from Kaskaskia. 

HAMILTON 

Why are you so certain ? 

YOUNG BRAVE 

No pack — no furs — 



To Vigo. 



HAMILTON 

What is your name ? 

VIGO 

Francis Vigo. 

HAMILTON 

Where do you reside ? 

VIGO 



In the Spanish settlement of St. Louis, your 
Excellency. I ply my trade in these parts. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 89 

HAMILTON 

Where is your proof of that, sir? Where is 
your pack of merchandise ? Where is your bundle 
of furs? 

VIGO 

I lost them all in the floods, your Honor, whilst 
fording a swollen stream. 

HAMILTON 

With suspicion. 

I have not heard of other traders having such 
accident — 

VIGO 

And yet how easily it might happen ! All the 
streams are out of their banks, and the currents 
are swift and strong. 'Twould be almost strange 
to have one's pack under such conditions. 

HAMILTON 

You tell your story easily, sir, but Clark sends 
out many spies. My Indians have seized them 
before. 'Tis suspicious, sir — most suspicious. 



90 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

VIGO 

Firmly. 

If you order my execution, Colonel Hamilton, 
you may expect trouble with Spain. There are 
those to whom my life is precious. 

HAMILTON 

Traders are not usually so well protected. 

VIGO 

I happen to possess some wealth, and so have 
influence in St. Louis. 

HAMILTON 

Then why are you a trader? 'Tis a life of 
hardship and danger. 

VIGO 

'Tis born and bred in me; I am not content 
away from the woods. 

HAMILTON 

Your excuses are not convincing, sir. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 91 



YOUNG BRAVE 



Listen not to the whistling of evil birds, Father. 
Other Indians grunt assent. 

HAMILTON 

My Indians are becoming impatient, you see. 

Vigo shrugs his shoulders. Enter first 
orderly, leaving door open. Savage 
yells are heard off in near distance. 

ORDERLY 

Your Excellency — the war party is returning ! 
— the Indians who went to attack the American 
settlement on the Ohio. 

Yells heard nearer. 

HAMILTON 

To officers. 

We must receive them with the usual cere- 
mony. Parade all troops at once ! 

Officers going hastily. Mrs. Martin 
crossing to Vigo cautiously; is near, 



92 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

when Hamilton turns and sees her; 
shows suspicion. 

Where are you going, Madam ? 

MRS. MARTIN 

In confusion. 
I — I thought I would not wait longer. 

HAMILTON 

To first orderly. 

Conduct this woman to the gate. Hereafter, 
we will furnish Captain Helm's meals. 

Orderly conducts Mrs. Martin from 
room. Exeunt officers. Helm hides 
behind a large chair to escape observa- 
tion. Hamilton turns to Vigo. 

We will settle your matter later. And I warn 
you that the woman's actions were nowise in your 
favor. 

Exit. Indians follow. Helm and Vigo 
clasp hands. 

HELM 

Francis Vigo ! You are in great danger here ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 93 

Hamilton shows the American spy no mercy. He 
has allowed his Indians to scalp every one they 
have captured, 

VIGO 

I took that chance when I offered my services 
to General Clark. Now tell me what you know 
• — quick! How many British regulars are here? 
How many Indian allies? 

HELM 

There are eighty British soldiers in the fort. 
And Hamilton can summon at least four hundred 
Indian warriors. 

VIGO 

What about ammunition ? And where are the 
cannon placed ? 

HELM 

The cannon are in the tower. There is a large 
supply of ammunition — enough to last a month. 
It is here beneath this floor. 

VIGO 

Is Hamilton expecting reinforcements? 



94 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

HELM 

Yes, in the early spring — a large force of regu- 
lars and Indians. 

VIGO 

This information must go to General Clark at 
once. If I am detained, it may be that Father 
Gibault, the Catholic priest in Vincennes, will 
send a messenger. He is friendly to us. Indeed, 
he has recently sent General Clark every penny 
he has, to help with the expenses of this cam- 
paign. 

HELM 

It touches me deeply to hear that. The Father 
is no longer young, and his people are poor. I 
will get the information to him if it is possible. 
But the Father is not welcome here at the fort. 
His attachment to the American cause has made 
him most unpopular. So it will be difficult to 
reach him. I am not permitted to converse with 
the French traders who come — Hamilton seems 
to fear my influence. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 95 

VIGO 

General Clark will march upon Vincennes im- 
mediately he has my report. He means to come 
through the swamps. 

HELM 

Proudly. 

'Tis like the man to do that ! There's no other 
general living who would attempt such a perilous 
journey. 

VIGO 

Or who could persuade his men to follow ! 

HELM 

It will mean terrible suffering and a hazardous 
fight at the end. Does General Clark know that 
there are six hundred Frenchmen in Vincennes 
who may rise and fight against him? They hate 
the British, 'tis true, but they may fear to oppose 
them. 

VIGO 

General Clark knows well the risks he takes, 
but he is determined to force the British from this 



96 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

land. He can scarce control his indignation when 
he hears of the raids these officers make with 
their Indian troops, on defenseless American 
settlements. They permit the savages to kill and 
torture whom they will, and lift not a hand to 
restrain them. 

HELM 

And they pay the Indians for every scalp taken 
from an American, without regard to age or sex. 

VIGO 

General Clark has heard of that. Is it indeed 
true? Have you seen it yourself? 

HELM 

I have beheld it dozens of times — beheld it 
until my soul sickened within me. And Hamil- 
ton receives the returning war parties with pomp 
and ceremony, just as he is doing now. And 
then the payment for scalps begins — the scalps 
of our brave American frontiersmen — the scalps 
of their wives and babies. It is heartbreaking, 
Colonel. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 97 

VIGO 

With passion. 

I would I could strangle this Hamilton! He 
is a fiend! 

HELM 

Aye, he is! Who but a fiend would place a 
price upon the head of American girls? 

VIGO 

I had not heard of that — 

HELM 

He pays five pounds for every American girl 
brought alive to this fort. But they must be 
pretty and young, for they are given away to 
Indians and British traders to be enslaved by 
them. 

VIGO 

Tis time for General Clark to come — to save 
the women of our settlements! 

HELM 

Aye! 

Enter merchant, disappointed; crosses 
to get pack. 



98 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

MERCHANT 

r Angrily. 

Not a cent would they pay — not a cent ! They 
laughed in my face — those privates ! I wish the 
Americans would come straightway and drive 
these robbers out. 

HELM 

Quickly. 
Would you help General Clark if he came? 

MERCHANT 

Indeed, and I would ! And so would my sons 
and my five sons-in-law. I'd see to it they 
obeyed me. 'Twould not be difficult — we all hate 

the British naturally. 

Taking up pack. 

HELM 

Aside to Vigo. 
Shall we trust him to tell the priest? 

VIGO 

'Tis our only chance — we must. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 99 

HELM 

To merchant. 
Will you carry a message to Father Gibault? 

MERCHANT 

I will, sir, and gladly. I will go far to serve 
an American, now that these thieves will not 
pay. And 'tis not that they have no money. They 
have all they want, to buy girls. Listen ! Their 
Indians have just brought one in — a young 
American girl. And sobbing she is, and moan- 
ing, poor child. She saw her father and mother 
killed and scalped. 'Twas done before her eyes. 
And she weeps and cries out with the horror of 
it. But what cares this Hamilton ! He does not 
even heed. 

VIGO 

Is there aught you can do to save her? 

MERCHANT 

I mean to tell Father Gibault. Maybe he can 
protect her, but 'tis not likely. 



100 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

Lifting pack; turning to go. 

Now, what is your message, gentlemen? Do 
you fear you can not trust me? Look at this 
pack — full as when I came! They have ruined 
me. My children will suffer for it, and Madam, 
my wife, will weep. 

VIGO 

I will buy your goods — everything in your 
pack. 

MERCHANT 

What! you buy — you — you! 

VIGO 

Take it to St. Louis to the Spanish governor 
there. Give him this ring and he will pay you 
without a word. 

MERCHANT 

Taking ring. 

Sir, I go down on my knees to you ! 

Wipes tears from his eyes; grasps 
Vigo's hand. 

Tell me now what to do for you! It does not 
matter how hard. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 101 

VIGO 

Tell Father Gibault that I, Francis Vigo, am 
held here as a spy, and likely to lose my life. 
Tell him there is no proof against me. Tell him 
to come immediately — there is a message for 
General Clark. 

MERCHANT 

I go at once — at once ! We will save you, my 
brother, Father Gibault and I! 

Hurries out with pack. Enter orderly. 
r As door is opened, savage yells of 
delight are heard. He closes door 
quickly; crosses; gets bag of money 
from table drawer. 

VIGO 

Your friends seem to have brought in a fair 
supply of scalps. 

ORDERLY 

Embarrassed. 

Oh, we need money for other things, too. 
There's a prisoner to be paid for. 

Opens door. Girl heard screaming off. 
Exit orderly, closing door quickly. 



102 ROMANTIC INDIANA 



HELM 

No need to ask who their prisoner is — 

VIGO 

It makes my blood run cold! 

Scream heard just off. Door is opened 
violently and a girl rushes in. She 
is an 'American — about sixteen — 
pretty, fair, frail. Her garments are 
torn from struggling. She is wild 
with fear. She looks about; runs to 
Helm; clings to him. 

GIRL 

Save me ! Save me from them ! 

Enter in pursuit, British soldiers and 
Indians. Enter Hamilton and of- 
ficers. 

HAMILTON 

Angrily to girl. 
What do you mean by running away, you 
hussy ! No one had lifted a finger against you. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 103 

GIRL 

Trembling with fear. 
You gave me to an Indian — 

HAMILTON 

What else do you expect! You Americans 
are at war with us ! 

To an old brave, hideous in war paint. 
Here — take her ! 

Indians utter exultant cries. Old brave 
crosses; places hand on girl's bare 
arm. She tears herself from him and 
clings to Helm. 

GIRL 

Save me ! Save me ! 

HAMILTON 

To old brave. 
Seize the girl and be off ! 

Brave seizes girl and drags her across 
room. She faints at door. Helm and 
Vigo start to her, but are stopped by 
Hamilton, who draws his sword. 



104 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

Take another step and you shall be shot where 
you stand. 

Soldiers thrust Helm and Vigo back. 

Hamilton turns to orderly after a 

look at girl. 

'Tis only a faint ! Bear her out and revive her. 

Orderly and a soldier carry girl out. 
Hamilton turns to Vigo with an ugly 
manner. 

Now then, we will settle with you. I am con- 
vinced, sir, that you are a spy. And I see no 
reason why you should not meet the fate of one. 

VIGO 

There is no proof against me, sir. 

HAMILTON 

There is the word of these Indians. 

VIGO 

Boldy. 

And you know what that is worth. They only 
want my scalp that they may buy whisky from 
you. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 105 

HAMILTON 

'Angrily. 
Sir! 

VIGO 

Oh, 'tis known far and wide how you do ! 

HAMILTON 

Your boldness only hastens your execution, 
sir. Have you any message to leave ? 

VIGO 

Yes, a message for you ! I see bleeding heads 
when I look at you ! I hear women shriek when 
you speak! 

HAMILTON 

Be silent ! Do you hear ? Be silent ! 

VIGO 

No ! I die with my curses upon you ! 

HAMILTON 

To Indians. 
Scalp him — at once ! 



106 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

Indians go, taking tomahawks from 
belts significantly. 

Your hour has come, Francis Vigo. Orderly, 
do your duty. 

Orderly crossing to Vigo. Enter Father 
Gibault, a noble-looking man of ad- 
vanced years. 

GIBAULT 

To orderly. 

Stay! Governor Hamilton, I ask for the re- 
lease of this Spaniard! 

HAMILTON 

Coldly. 
Upon what grounds, Monsieur Gibault? 

GIBAULT 

Upon the grounds of humanity. There is no 
proof against him. 

HAMILTON 

With suspicion. 
And how know you that, pray? 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 107. 

GIBAULT 

The merchant told me— the merchant you 
failed to pay. 

HAMILTON 

Your words are not well chosen, Monsieur. I 
will brook no interference. 

GIBAULT 

The leading citizens of Vincennes have heard 
of the arrest of this Spaniard, and are coming 
to ask for his freedom. 

HAMILTON 

Sneering. 

Well, they are not here. The message I sent 
by the merchant has no doubt scared them out. 
And you, Monsieur Gibault, I would advise to 
be content with priestly duties. Your sympathy 
with the American cause is too well known to 
give you influence here. This man is a spy, and 
as a spy shall he meet his death. Orderly, re- 
move the prisoner. 



.108 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

GIBAULT 

Sir ! I pray you ! 

HAMILTON 

No! 

Orderly who has retired back, crosses 
to Vigo; takes his arm. Enter some 
twelve citizens, Frenchmen of middle 
age. They bear themselves with dig- 
nity. The merchant is at their head. 

GIBAULT 

With stern voice of anthorityc 

You see they were not frightened ! And now 
'tis my time to give advice. And harken to me 
well, Governor Hamilton! Unless you free this 
man, Francis Vigo, the citizens of Vincennes will 
no longer supply your garrison with provisions. 

HAMILTON 

To citizens. 
Do you forget that you are British subjects? 

MERCHANT 

We do not forget that it is in our power to 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 109 

make your garrison suffer. Nor do we want 
trouble with Spain. 

HAMILTON 

I shall make your town pay for this when my 
reinforcements come. Do not think for one mo- 
ment that you will escape chastisement. 

MERCHANT 

Will you release that man or no? 

Hamilton is furious. He looks from 
one citizen to another, but each meets 
his gaze unflinchingly. Pause. 

HAMILTON 

To Vigo. 

I will give you your freedom, providing you 
promise to do nothing that shall injure the British 
cause so long as you remain in this country. 

VIGO 

I will not promise that — 

Others show surprise. 
I will not make a false oath. 



110 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

HAMILTON 

To priest and citizens. 

You hear? By his own confession he is an 
enemy to England. 

VIGO 

How could a Spaniard make such a promise? 
Suppose England should make war upon Spain ! 

GIBAULT 

To Hamilton. 

You see that Monsieur Vigo is a man of the 
finest honor. Could you not change your condi- 
tion somewhat? 

CITIZEN 

Aye! 

HAMILTON 

You are asking too much, sirs ! 

MERCHANT 

Not so much as we can withdraw from you. 

OTHER CITIZENS 



Aye 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 111 

HAMILTON 

To Vigo, after a pause. 

Will you promise to do no injury to the British 
cause whilst on your journey back to St. Louis? 

VIGO 

Yes, I will promise that. 

HAMILTON 

You give me your word of honor? 

VIGO 

I do. 

HAMILTON 

To ensign. 
Let a guard conduct him to the river. 

Guard is formed by ensign. 

VIGO 

Allow me to thank you, Father Gibault — and 
you, gentlemen of Vincennes! 

HAMILTON 

Curtly. 
Your guard is ready — go! 



112 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

Vigo goes with guard. Hamilton turns 
to priest and citizens. 

Our interview is ended, gentlemen. 

GIBAULT 

Patiently. 
Nay, Colonel, we have another favor to ask. 

HAMILTON 

Better say — to demand. 

GIBAULT 

Mildly. 

As you please, sir. We wish that young 
American girl delivered up to us immediately. 

HAMILTON 

And what if I refuse? 

GIBAULT 

Sternly. 

Let that child be taken, and not one mouthful 
shall you have that you do not take by force. 

MERCHANT 

And force will accomplish nothing. Six hun- 
dred men we can arm at once. And we have am- 
munition in plenty. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 113 

HAMILTON 

r After a sullen pause. 
Take her and go. 

Motions to lieutenant who goes out. Re- 
enters at once with girl. Orderly fol- 
lows. Girl is sobbing and trembling 
with fear. 

GIBAULT 

Come, child, with me. 

Girl is bewildered. 

You are free, my child, free! You will come 
to Vincennes with us and live in a kind French 
family. 

GIRL 

With a pitiful cry of joy. 

Oh, Father — Father! Take my hand — lead 
me. 

Gibault takes her hand and leads her 
out. Citizens follow. 

Curtain 



ACT II— EPISODE II 
Characters 



GENERAL GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 



FATHER GIBAULT 
MAJOR BOWMAN 
COLONEL HAMILTON 
MAJOR HAY 
CAPTAIN HELM 
CAPTAIN 
LIEUTENANT 
FIRST ORDERLY 
SECOND ORDERLY 
FIRST MAN 
SECOND MAN 
THIRD MAN 
FOURTH MAN 
FIRST WOMAN 



SECOND WOMAN 
THIRD WOMAN 
FIRST YOUTH 
SECOND YOUTH 
THIRD YOUTH 
TABAC 

FIRST MERCHANT 
SECOND MERCHANT 
THIRD MERCHANT 
FOURTH MERCHANT 
FIRST GIRL 
SECOND GIRL 
THIRD GIRL 
FOURTH GIRL 



PEOPLE OF VINCENNES 

Time — 1779, February 24. Late afternoon: 
Place — Vinccnnes, Catholic Church. 
Scene — Interior of church. Father Gibault is 
surrounded by many of his people — men, women, 
114 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 115 

children. At curtain, there is firing off; volley 
after volley, but no cannon. People listen in 
fright. Volleys cease; shots become scattering. 

FIRST MAN 



Listen! The shots are scattering! 



SECOND MAN 

The Americans are shooting at the British gun- 
ners as they open their port-holes to fire. They've 
been picking them off all day. 

THIRD MAN 

Never did I behold such marksmen ! No sooner 
does a port fly open than fifty Americans have 
shot. 

FOURTH MAN 

If the British stand by their guns, they will 
lose all their men by sundown. 

GIBAULT 

Their cannon seem to be silenced. It has been 
some time since we heard one. 



116 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

OTHER MEN 

Aye ! 

FIRST WOMAN 

'Twill be a sad day for us if these Americans 
win! 

SECOND WOMAN 

'Twill mean slavery for us and our children ! 

THIRD WOMAN 

They will turn us out of our homes and sep- 
arate our families forever ! 

GIBAULT 

No, my people, no ! Such things are not true. 
The Americans are kind, and they ever treat 
women with honor. 

FIRST MAN 

Ah, but, Father, you are a priest, and so are 
not told some things. 

GIBAULT 

Many of our citizens support the Americans — 
the merchant Busseron, Colonel Legras and 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 117 

others. They have given General Clark great 
stores of powder and balls which they had hid 
for themselves. 

SECOND MAN 

But they are only a few. The rest of us fear 
the Americans. 

OTHERS 

Aye! We do — we do! 

Shooting ceases suddenly. 

THIRD MAN 

What means this sudden silence? I shall look 
out and see what I may — 

Opens door; looks out cautiously; turns 
to people showing excitement. 

What think you? The British are sending a 
flag of truce from the fort! 

GIBAULT 

Tis no more than I expected. General Clark 
took them by surprise. They did not expect him 
to march through the swamps. 



118 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

THIRD MAN 

Looking out. 

The officers speak together — the British and 
the American ! And now an American is coming 
this way — he enters the square — he is coming to 
our church ! 

SECOND WOMAN 

He comes to take us away ! 

THIRD WOMAN 

Save us, Father ! Save us ! 

OTHERS 

Save us ! Save us ! 

Enter an American officer — an orderly. 
He wears buckskins. In his belt is a 
tomahawk. 

ORDERLY 

Courteously. 

Father Gibault, General Clark asks permission 
to use this church for a conference with the 
British officers. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 119 

GIBAULT 

It is at his disposal, Officer. 

To people. 

Come, we will retire to the square. 'Twill be 

safe whilst the truce is on. 

They start off. 

ORDERLY 

At door; waving them back. 

One moment! General Clark is here — at the 
door ! 

'Enter General Clark and Major Bow- 
man. Clark is twenty-seven years 
old; is prepossessing in appearance; 
has pleasing manners; is brave, ener- 
getic and bold. He wears buckskins, 
as does the major. 

GIBAULT 

Advancing. 

You are welcome here, General Clark! Long 
have I prayed for this day! 

Gives hand to Clark. 



120 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

CLARK 

With great respect. 

Tis through your help I have come, Father 
Gibault. 

GIBAULT 

My part in it was small enough — * 

CLARK 

Nay, 'twas much, and 'twas all you had. It 
grieved me to take it from you. 

GIBAULT 

The cause for which you fight is dearer than 
any man's gold. But tell me — did Colonel Vigo 
arrive in time? He was compelled to go to St. 
Louis first, through his promise to Colonel Ham- 
ilton. 

CLARK 

Smiling. 

He carried out his promise to the letter — went 
straightway to St. Louis, and then was off again 
■ — back over the way he had come — to Kaskaskia ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 121 



GIBAULT 



And all the time exposed to great danger ! The 
Indians would have burned him alive had they 
captured him again. 

CLARK 

He knew that, Father, and spoke of it, but he 
was willing to sacrifice himself that our pioneers 
might live in safety under the American flag. 

GIBAULT 

He should be honored by Americans forever! 

CLARK 

Aye, he will be ! And so shall you, Father Gi- 
bault, so shall you! 

Sound of weeping heard, back. Clark 
turns. 

Why, these women are weeping! Are they 
afraid of us? 

GIBAULT 

Aside to Clark. 
They fear you will mistreat them, despite all 



122 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

I have said. They have listened to the British 
officers. 

Weeping continues. Clark crosses to 
people. Gibault follows. 

CLARK 

Why do you weep, my friends? 

FIRST WOMAN 

We pray you not to seize us ! 

FIRST MAN 

We will submit to the loss of our land, but we 
beg you not to take us from our wives and chil- 
dren! 

OTHERS 

Aye ! We beg you ! 



CLARK 



Do you mistake us for savages ? Do you think 
that Americans would mistreat women and chil- 
dren? My countrymen disdain to war on the 
helpless. It is to prevent Indian and British 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 123 

butchery of women that we come to this place. 
And we come for that alone, my friends, and not 
for plunder or loot of your homes. 

FIRST MAN 

Amazed. 
Why, sir — 'tis not what we've been hearing — 

CLARK 

You have been prejudiced against us by British 
officers. But I tell you that no restraint will be 
put upon you after the fort is taken. 

SECOND MAN 

But suppose the British conquer? 

PEOPLE 

Aye! 

CLARK 

They are beaten now. Have they not sent us 
a flag of truce and asked for a conference? 

THIRD MAN 

But you may not come to terms — 



124 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

CLARK 

We shall oblige them to accept whatever terms 
we choose to offer them. 

FOURTH MAN 

Ah, but you need many men to do that. 

PEOPLE 

Aye! 

CLARK 

Men I have, in plenty. The French at Kas- 
kaskia volunteered in large numbers. Why, vic- 
tory is ours ! 'Tis now merely a matter of form 
and detail. So think all these things over, my 
friends. We shall not compel you to take the 
oath of allegiance, but 'twould be an act we would 
appreciate ; 'twould make you beloved by our na- 
tion. 

Turns to priest. 

Speak to them, Father, without. I should like 
the church for a conference with Major Bowman. 

Exeunt Gibault and people. 

Well, Major, it is plain that we must resort to 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 125 

braggadocio — or rather, we must continue to use 
it. Our French volunteers would scarce make a 
baker's dozen, but these villagers must not know 
it. So much do they fear the British, we can gain 
them only by tales of a superior force. 

BOWMAN 

Smiling. 

Your display of numerous banners as we ap- 
proached Vincennes in the dusk impressed them 
from the first. 

CLARK 

'Twas necessary in order to disarm them. And 
'twas necessary to deceive the Indians, too, who 
were hanging about in large numbers, ready to go 
this way or that. I hoped also that reports of 
our large force would alarm the garrison. And 
now I am certain that happened. Hamilton 
would not be asking for a conference otherwise. 

BOWMAN 

Nay, indeed he would not ! 

CLARK 

But the danger is not over for us. Any mo- 



126 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

ment the Indians may discover the truth and begin 
a counter-attack. These French, too, might arise 
against us. So braggadocio, Major, bombast and 
bluff must be in order to-day. 

BOWMAN 

Smiling. 

You'll find me here at your elbow in any picture 
you paint. 

Enter Gibault. He is followed by sev- 
eral young Frenchmen. 

GIBAULT 

Your pardon, General, but these young men of 
Vincennes wish to join your forces and fight. 

CLARK 

I appreciate your offer, gentlemen, but I am not 
in need of men. Indeed, I have so many that 
more would embarrass my plans. 

FIRST YOUTH 

I pray you to take us, General ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 127 

SECOND YOUTH 

We desire the Americans to win ! 

THIRD YOUTH 

We will help you to storm the fort, General. 

CLARK 

You would make brave and loyal soldiers, I 
know, but I can not accept you now. My ranks 
are filled. But I thank you, young gentlemen. I 
thank you, Father Gibault. 

Exeunt priest and young men. 

That took as much courage, Major, as it does 
to face a cannon. I need men as I need my head, 
and could use them just as effectively. 

Enter an orderly. 

ORDERLY 

Some Indians are coming to you, General, to 
offer you their aid. They are now within the 
square. 

CLARK 

Tell them we have men in plenty. 

Exit orderly. 



128 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

I will not use Indians to make war upon any 
human being — not even that hair-buying Hamil- 
ton. 

BOWMAN 

Looking out of window. 

He can not dissuade them, General. Their 
chief looks at the orderly with anger — and now 
they come this way. 

CLARK 

Tis better perhaps that they do. We must 
have their good will if it can be got by fair words 
and excuses. 

Enter Tabac, an Indian chief, followed 
by several braves. 

TABAC 

Who is chief among you? Speak, that I may 
know. 

CLARK 

Haughtily. 

I am chief. What would you of me at this 
time? 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 129 

TABAC 

Father, I am Tabac, chief of the Piankeshaws, 
who dwell in the land of their fathers by the 
waters of the lower Wabash. Father, we do not 
like the English. My braves would fight with 
you. 

CLARK 

You are too late, my children. I can not use 
more men. 

TABAC 

Father, Tabac and one hundred warriors will 
fight for you to the death. 

CLARK 

You should have come to me at Kaskaskia, be- 
fore the French volunteers joined. 

TABAC 

Sorrowfully. 

Tabac did not know, Father. The English de- 
ceived him with lying words. 

CLARK 

I must refuse you, Tabac. Nor have I time 
to speak further to-day. The British officers are 



130 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

coming here to plead with me not to destroy them 
utterly. 

TABAC 

Quickly. 
Tabac American ! Braves American, too ! 

Braves grunt assent eagerly. 

CLARK 

We will smoke our peace pipe to-morrow, my 
children, before a fire in the fort. 

Conducts Indians to door. 

To-morrow, remember ! In the fort ! 

Exeunt Indians. Enter orderly. 

ORDERLY 

Governor Hamilton is coming, General! 

CLARK 

Who is with him? 

ORDERLY 

His major and Captain Helm. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 131 

CLARK 

Surprised. 

Captain Helm! That looks suspicious to me, 
Major. They bring him to intercede in their 
favor. Little good 'twill do them ! I shall in- 
sist upon unconditional surrender. 

BOWMAN 

Hamilton will fight that most bitterly. 

CLARK 

He knows it will mean death to him, as it most 
assuredly will. Major Bowman, 'tis all I can do 
to receive that murderer with the required civil- 
ities of war. 

ORDERLY 

He is approaching, General — 

Short pause. Enter Hamilton, Hay and 
Helm. Officers bow formally. 

CLARK 

Coldly. 

You suggested a conference, Colonel Hamil- 
ton, under your flag of truce. 



132 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

HAMILTON 

I wish, General Clark, to offer you terms of 
capitulation. 

Hands a paper to Clark who looks at 
it critically. 



Coldly. 



CLARK 

It is not acceptable to me — 

HAMILTON 

What is your objection, General? 

CLARK 

You propose surrendering if you and your 
men are permitted to go to Florida on parole. 

HAMILTON 

You would not agree to that ? 

CLARK 

No, most decidedly I would not ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 133 

HAMILTON 

Will you then make some proposition? 

CLARK 

I have no other offer to make than that of 
unconditional surrender. 



HAMILTON 

But, General — 

CLARK 



Displeased. 



Lifting hand. 

If you choose to comply with that demand, per- 
haps the sooner the better. It is useless to make 
any further proposition to me. You realize by 
this time that your garrison must fall. My 
troops are impatient at the delay, and are calling 
aloud for permission to storm the fort. They 
are enraged against you, as are all Americans in 
the United States. Should it come to the point, 
then, of these frontiersmen breaking into your 
fort, they would not leave a man of you alive. 

HAMILTON 

They are enraged without reason, sir. 



134 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

CLARK 

Sharply. 

Say not that, to me ! You know of what you 
are guilty! Will you take my terms or no? 

HAMILTON 

I believe Captain Helm agrees with me on cer- 
tain points. 

HELM 

I do, General Clark. I — 

CLARK 

Captain Helm, you are a British prisoner, and 
it is doubtful whether you should speak. 

HAMILTON 

Captain Helm is free from this moment. 

CLARK 

I will not receive Captain Helm on such terms. 
He must return to the fort and await his fate. 
Hostilities will not be renewed until five minutes 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 135 

after the guns give the alarm. There is nothing 
more to be said, Colonel Hamilton. 

Officers bow coldly. Hamilton and es- 
cort start off. Hamilton stops and 
turns. 

HAMILTON 

Would you be good enough, General Clark, to 
give me your reasons for refusing the garrison 
under any other terms than those of uncondi- 
tional surrender? 

CLARK 

Certainly, I will give them. I want an excuse 
for putting certain Indian partisans to death, or 
otherwise treating them as I think proper. The 
cries of the widows and of the fatherless children 
on the frontiers require their blood from my 
hands. And I do not intend to be so timorous as 
to disobey these voices. I may even send for 
some of those widows to accuse their husbands' 
murderers — these selfsame Indian partisans. 

HAY 

Alarmed. 
Who is it that you call Indian partisans? 



136 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

CLARK 

Sir, I take Major Hay to be one of the prin- 
cipal ones, after Colonel Hamilton. 

Hay trembles noticeably; is obliged to 
hold to a chair for support, Hamil- 
ton bites his lips nervously. Ameri- 
can officers look with disdain upon 
them. Silence for a moment. 

If I should decide to reconsider the matter I will 
let you know under flag. If not, you will soon 
hear the roll of the drum. 

All bow. British go with Helm. Clark 
turns to orderly. 

Ask all officers to attend me here at once. Tell 
the men to rest on their arms for fear of 
treachery. 

Exit orderly. Enter second orderly. 

SECOND ORDERLY 

General Clark, I am sent by Captain Williams 
to inform you that he has seized some six Indian 
warriors, who were approaching Vincennes with 
scalps. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 137 

CLARK 

Scalps of white men, of course? 

SECOND ORDERLY 

Yes, General, of American men and women. 

CLARK 

Take the Indians to the street near the gate of 
the fort, in full view of the garrison, and scalp 
every one. Throw their bodies into the river. 

Orderly salutes; exit. Enter Clark's of- 
ficers. All wear buckskins and carry 
tomahawks in their belts. 

Gentlemen, I would lay before you the result 
of the conference. The British will not accept 
my terms of unconditional surrender. 

CAPTAIN 

We can force them to it, General. Jhe men 
are anxious to storm the fort. 

LIEUTENANT 

Aye, they are — most anxious ! They want to 
be revenged for the loss of relatives and friends. 



138 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

CLARK 

After a pause of reflection. 

It can not be done without great loss of life, 
and I am not willing to lose a single man. Be- 
sides their Indian allies may rally to their sup- 
port. We could not hope to withstand an Indian 
attack whilst engaged in storming the fort. 

CAPTAIN 

Nay ! We could not ! 

CLARK 

Taken altogether, it is a situation that we must 
make the best of, and do so whilst we may. I am, 
therefore, willing to moderate my demands, and 
accept them as prisoners of war. What have 
you to say, gentlemen ? 

BOWMAN 

We can do nothing else under the circum- 
stances, without running the risk of defeat. 

CLARK 

And that would mean the utter ruin of all our 
plans and hopes! With perfect security could 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 139 

this Hamilton then sally forth with his Indians to 
torture our pioneers and murder their children 
and wives. A reign of terror would begin anew 
for our settlements, and 'twould last as long as an 
American remained alive from here to the Alle- 
ghanies. 

CAPTAIN 

I favor your terms, General. Accept them as 
prisoners of war, by all means. 

OTHERS 

Aye! 

CLARK 

So be it. I will return Hamilton's articles of 
capitulation with word that we will accept them 
in mercy to his men. 

OFFICERS 

Aye! 

Clark writes on paper left by Hamilton. 

CLARK 

Orderly, bear this paper to the fort under a 
flag and wait for it to be signed. 



140 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

Exit orderly with paper. Enter Gibault 
with people, now increased by mer- 
chants and others^ 

GIBAULT 

General Clark, my people have decided. They 
have come to take the oath of allegiance to the 
United States. They wish to be American citi- 
zens. 

CLARK 

It rejoices my heart to hear this, but the sur- 
render is not yet completed. 

FIRST MERCHANT 

That does not matter to us, General. We have 
made up our minds to be Americans. 

OTHERS 

Aye! 

SECOND MERCHANT 

We have talked with some of your French vol- 
unteers, and the things we have heard have de- 
cided us. The French at Kaskaskia are as free 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 141 

as before, they say, and freer. And their women 
were treated with respect. 

THIRD MERCHANT 

Aye, and they act and talk in a different style, 
as freemen do — and should. 

FOURTH MERCHANT 

So we, like they of Kaskaskia, would become 
your people at once. 

others 
Aye! 

CLARK 

We must wait for my flag from the fort. It 
should be here now in a moment. 

FIRST GIRL 

We will decorate our streets with flowers ! 

SECOND GIRL 

And with gay-colored pavilions, too, as on New 
Year's Day and for weddings ! 



142 ROMANTIC INDIANA 



THIRD GIRL 



And songs we will sing, and we'll march about ! 

FOURTH GIRL 

And feasts we will have, and dancing! 

ALL PEOPLE 

Gaily. 
Aye! Aye! 

Enter orderly zvith American flag. 

ORDERLY 

Offering a paper. 
From Colonel Hamilton, General. 

CLARK 

Taking paper. 

This will decide the matter, friends. 

Looks at paper carefully. There is a 
moment of suspense. 

The British have surrendered as prisoners of war ! 

GIBAULT 



May Heaven be praised ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 143 

OTHERS 

Solemnly. 
Aye! 

CLARK 

Father, conduct me to the altar. I will admin- 
ister the oath of allegiance to these new citizens 
of our beloved United States. 

Priest and Clark go to altar. Priest 
raises his hand. People kneel at altar. 
Officers stand with bowed heads. Or- 
derly lifts flag over altar and kneel- 
ing people. Music off, "America." 
Curtain 

motion tableau 

General Clark, officers and soldiers wait at 
gate of fort — same scene as Episode II — Act I. 
Governor Hamilton and garrison come from fort 
and deliver up their arms. An American flag is 
then run up over gate and Clark's fifers and 
drummers play "Yankee Doodle." The people 
of Vincennes who are gathered about church 
wave handkerchiefs and shout with joy. 
Curtain 



ACT III 

INDIANA UNDER THE STARS AND 
STRIPES 



ACT III— EPISODE I 

Characters 

governor william henry harrison 
tecumseh 
lieutenant jennings fifth citizen 
secretary sixth citizen 

first judge a woman 

second judge winnemac 

third judge first chief 

first citizen second chief 

second citizen third chief 

third citizen fourth chief 

fourth citizen fifth chief 

citizens, warriors, militia 

Time — 1810, August. 

Place — Vincennes. Governor Harrison's 
home. 

Scene — House with porch at side; grove of 
trees adjoining; street back. Enter from house, 
the governor's secretary — with law books under 
147 



148 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

his arm. He starts to street. Horse heard gal- 
loping off. Secretary stops on steps to porch and 
listens. Horse heard nearer. Pause. Enter a 
mounted officer — Lieutenant Jennings — wearing 
uniform of militia of Vincennes. He dismounts 
in haste; crosses quickly to house; meets secre- 
tary. 

LIEUTENANT 

Can you tell me where to find Governor Harri- 
son, sir? 

SECRETARY 

He is at home, Lieutenant Jennings. But he is 
engaged with the judges of the Supreme Court. 

LIEUTENANT 

It is important that he receive a message from 
Captain Floyd at Fort Knox. 

SECRETARY 

I will bear it to him. I am his secretary. 

LIEUTENANT 

Tell his Excellency that Tecumseh is on his 
way to Vincennes accompanied by many warriors. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 149 

SECRETARY 

Calmly. 

General Harrison is expecting Tecumseh. He 
wrote him to come for a council. So it seems 
hardly worth while to disturb — 

LIEUTENANT 

Violently. 

Tell him this instant or I will ! Tell him Te- 
cumseh has hundreds of braves and all are painted 
and armed! Tell him Captain Floyd is alarmed 
and fears for the safety of the people of Vin- 
cennes ! 

SECRETARY 

Alarmed. 
I will tell him — at once — at once ! 

Exit to house, hastily. Short pause; 
reenters. 

The governor is coming — and the judges ! 

Enter Governor Harrison, a courteous 
and distinguished gentleman of 
thirty-eight years. Three judges fol- 
low. They are fine types of pioneer 
citizens. All show alarm. Lieuten- 
ant salutes. 



150 ROMANTIC INDIANA 



HARRISON 



Your message alarms me, Lieutenant. Give 
me all details, if you please. How many Indians 
does Tecumseh bring? 



LIEUTENANT 



At least four hundred, Governor. 



HARRISON 



I forbade Tecumseh to bring a large band 
when he came to Vincennes. Do they come from 
the Prophet's town on the Tippecanoe ? 

LIEUTENANT 

Yes, Governor. They came down the Wabash 
in eighty canoes. I left Fort Knox immediately 
they passed. 

FIRST JUDGE 

They should be here, then, before long. 

SECOND JUDGE 

They have threatened to attack Vincennes this 
long time. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 151 

LIEUTENANT 

Captain Floyd is marching to your aid with all 
the men he can spare — twelve privates and a ser- 
geant. 

THIRD JUDGE 

He has three miles to come, and may not ar- 
rive in time. 

HARRISON 

To first judge. 
Judge, call the militia of Vincennes to arms! 

FIRST JUDGE 

At once, Governor ! 

Exit, quickly. 

HARRISON 

To secretary. 
Tell the citizens to prepare for trouble. 

SECRETARY 

I'll warn them, your Honor ! 

Exit, quickly. 

HARRISON 

To lieutenant. 
Is Tecumseh's brother, the Prophet, with him ? 



152 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

LIEUTENANT 

No, your Excellency. 

HARRISON 

JHen I fear an attack much less. Tecumseh is 
too shrewd to bring on war until he has held 
council with me. It would affect his influence 
over other tribes. 

SECOND JUDGE 

No Indian is to be trusted, Governor — not with 
their present hatred of white men. 

THIRD JUDGE 

And Tecumseh is only different in that he hates 
us more than the others. 

HARRISON 

I shall not permit his warriors to enter the 
town. 

Enter many citizens, in alarm. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 153 

FIRST CITIZEN 

Your Honor! A great band of Indians has 
come! 

SECOND CITIZEN 

They are landing now from canoes ! 

THIRD CITIZEN 

They are painted for war ! And all carry clubs 
and tomahawks! 

HARRISON 

To lieutenant. 

Proceed at once to Tecumseh and tell him that 
I am displeased at his bringing so many warriors 
here. Say if he wishes to hold council with me, 
he can enter Vincennes with only a very small 
number. And make it pointed, Lieutenant, that 
the militia of Vincennes, and also our troops from 
Fort Knox will assemble to receive him — with 
honor, of course, you will say. 

Lieutenant going. 

SECOND JUDGE 

And bullets, if necessary. 

Lieutenant mounts horse; goes. Enter 
other citizens in alarm. 



154 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

A WOMAN 

To Harrison. 

Your Honor! What shall we do if they at- 
tack us? 

HARRISON 

At the first sign of trouble, run to your homes. 
The militia will protect you. We are expecting 
Captain Floyd any minute. 

FIRST CITIZEN 

You should barricade yourself in your house, 
Governor, and exchange messages through an in- 
terpreter. Do not forget that these very Indians 
plotted to murder you — and not so long ago. 

FOURTH CITIZEN 

And who knows but they come for that now 
— to rush upon you suddenly and scalp you ! 

VOICES 

Aye! 

HARRISON 

It is a risk I must take, friends. This trouble 
has been brewing for months — I can not run 
away from it. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 155 

FIFTH CITIZEN 

It is Tecumseh and the Prophet who are incit- 
ing the Indians against us. There was peace till 
they built their town on the Tippecanoe. 

SIXTH CITIZEN 

Aye, and traders say a thousand braves have 
joined them there, and they hold war councils 
nightly. 

THIRD JUDGE 

And we know that Tecumseh has been visiting 
different tribes and trying to unite them. He is 
said to be so eloquent he can sway the braves at 
his will. 

FIRST CITIZEN 

And the Prophet keeps it up at their town. He 
pretends he has mysterious powers and can call 
up evil spirits. 'Tis my opinion that it is all a 
scheme between the two brothers to excite the 
braves to a general attack on all our settlements. 

PEOPLE 

Yes — yes ! It is ! 



156 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

HARRISON 

We are in danger, friends. I have had spies 
in the Prophet's town for weeks — traders and 
friendly Indians — and all reported ill-feeling and 
threats of war because of our purchase of that 
land from the Miamis. And British agents visit 
them, and tell them we had no right to buy the 
land and incite them to attack us. 

SECOND CITIZEN 

The British are forever inciting them against 
us! Many a raid can be traced to their agents 
and fur-traders. 

PEOPLE 

Aye! 

HARRISON 

It is a serious situation. The Prophet has so 
stirred his followers with hatred of us they are 
willing to commit any crime. The friendly chief 
iWinnemac was threatened with torture because 
he spoke in our defense. 

SECOND JUDGE 

'Tis certain they mean to destroy us. And 
how are we to defend ourselves? Here we are 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 157 

*— a mere handful in this great wilderness. The 
other settlements in this territory are weak and 
far away. 

HARRISON 

Tis for that reason I have been patient with 
the Prophet and Tecumseh. And we must con- 
tinue that policy, till government troops can be 
sent to our aid. 

THIRD CITIZEN 

An excitable Virginian. 

In the meantime shall we allow our settlers to 
be killed— as they have been only recently! And 
by Indians from the Prophet's town ! . 

HARRISON 

I have commanded Tecumseh to stop these 
raids and he has promised to do so. He said they 
took place during his absence. And I know posi- 
tively that he put the ringleaders to death on his 
return. 

THIRD CITIZEN 

We should punish them all ! We should shoot 
every Indian on sight ! 



158 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

VOICES 

Yes — yes ! 

HARRISON 

Nay ! Our settlers have done too much of that. 
Jhey insult the Indians in every possible way. 
Our traders cheat and rob them. Our hunters 
shoot them without provocation. Tis no wonder 
they retaliate by raids. From the very first the 
Indian has been a victim of the white man's greed. 
I tell you they have my sympathy. But I shall 
not permit this to color my dealings with them, 
other than to have great patience. 

Many murmur assent. Enter Winne- 
mac, an Indian chief. People show 
'distrust and bar his path as he at- 
tempts to cross to porch. 

HARRISON 

Make way, citizens! It is the friendly chief, 
Winnemac ! 

People fall back. Winnemac crosses. 

WINNEMAC 

Brother, I must speak quick or Tecumseh will 
hear my words. Listen ! He will pretend friend- 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 159 

ship, but he is hostile — he is ready to spring at 
your throat. 

HARRISON 

We have our soldiers ready, Winnemac. 

WINNEMAC 

'Tis well — he plans for a surprise while you 
counsel. One word, and the tomahawk will be 
lifted, and the war-club will descend. 

HARRISON 

IWe are prepared, Winnemac. 

WINNEMAC 

Brother, there is more — Olliwachica, the 
Prophet, is telling the braves that your bullets 
can not harm them, nor can your powder burn. 
He says they can fight with the white men and be 
unseen by them. Brother, he says the white men 
will fall like leaves in a storm but no Indian will 
be killed. 

HARRISON 

Do the Indians listen to him? 



160 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

WINNEMAC 

Yes, brother, they open their ears to his words. 
Olliwachica has excited them with his evil eye 
and charms. So look to your own life, brother. 

HARRISON 

I will be watchful, Winnemac. And, brother, 
I thank you for your friendliness. You shall be 
laden with presents when the council-fire is over. 

Enter lieutenant; crosses to governor. 

LIEUTENANT 

Saluting. 

Your Excellency, Tecumseh declares that he 
comes to hold a council with you. He says the 
warriors came of their own free will, and he con- 
sented to leave them at the edge of the town. But 
he insisted on bringing some forty here. 

HARRISON 

To judges. 

I will receive Tecumseh and his chiefs here. 
The militia can parade before the others and so 
prevent them from making any concerted action. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 161 

JUDGES 

Aye! 

HARRISON 

To negro servants. 

Bring chairs and place them here. 

Servants enter house; come out at once 
with chairs; place them on porch. 
Lieutenant crosses; looks off. Enter 
first judge. Enter secretary and 
many citizens. 

FIRST JUDGE 

The militia is mustering, Governor. They will 
be here as soon as possible, but many of the men 
are at work in the fields and woods. 

HARRISON 

To people. 
I'll prolong the council all I may, friends. 

LIEUTENANT 

They come, your Honor! They advance 
through the grove — Tecumseh at their head. 

Harrison and judges stand on porch. 
People fall hack to rear and side of 



162 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

house. Pause. Enter Tecumseh and 
Indians. They stop suddenly. Te- 
cumseh shows displeasure. He is a 
fine-looking man of forty-two; has a 
majestic countenance and carriage. 

HARRISON 

To lieutenant, aside. 
Go to them — ask why they stop. 

Lieutenant crosses to Indians. 

LIEUTENANT 

With courtesy. 

His Excellency is waiting to receive you, great 
Chief. He invites you to be seated by him. 

TECUMSEH 

Coldly. 
These trees are better for council. 

LIEUTENANT 

I will tell the governor your words. 

Crosses to Harrison and speaks with 
him aside. Harrison crosses to In- 
dians; is followed, by judges. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 163 

HARRISON 

To Tecurnseh, 

Brother, I welcome you to Vincennes and to 
our council-fire ! I welcome the chiefs who are 
with you. I welcome all your brave warriors. 
Great Tecurnseh, I invite you and your chiefs to 
sit with me and my judges, that our conference 
may begin. 

TECUM SEH 

Coldly. 

The sun is my father — the earth is my mother. 
On her bosom shall the council be held. 

HARRISON 

You are my guest, Tecurnseh, so it shall be as 
you say. 

TECUMSEH 

Brother, the Great Spirit tells me to speak the 
truth to you. Listen to me well — you will hear 
his voice in my words. Brother, once there was 
no white man in all this country ; then it belonged 
to red men, placed on it by the Great Spirit, to 
keep it, to travel over it, to eat its fruits, and to 
fill it with the same race. But these red men and 



164 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

their children have been driven from the great 
salt water, forced over the mountains into the 
prairies; driven like snowflakes before a tempest 
' — like fallen leaves in a storm. It is you who are 
driving us now, brother, you and your white 
braves. You have no pity on us — you would 
drive us into the lakes of the Northland. 

Harrison 

My children, listen to me. You accuse us of 
driving you from your lands. We have not done 
that. We bought those lands from the Miamis, 
who were the owners when the white men first 
came to this country. The Father of our Seven- 
teen Fires paid much money for them, and the 
papers were signed by the proper chiefs. How, 
then, can you say we are driving you ? 

TECUMSEH 

Brother, the chiefs that made that treaty ha3 
no right to make it. No tribe can sell land unless 
all tribes consent. We are now one people — I am 
the head of them all. Brother, if you do not 
restore this land to me, I will kill these chiefs that 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 165 

sold it, Brother^ you will have a hand in their 
death. 

HARRISON 

Brother, why do you say all tribes are one? 
They are not. If the Great Spirit had meant it 
to be so he would not have put different tongues 
into their heads. 

TECUMSEH 

The Great Spirit speaks to us with one tongue 
and all the tribes understand him. Brother, he 
has told us that he intended this country as the 
common property of all his red children. I am 
not alone in this — these chiefs support me. 

FIRST CHIEF, 

Stepping forward. 
Brother, I am chief of the Wyandotes — ■ 

SECOND CHIEF 

I talk for the Kickapoos. 

THIRD CHIEF; 

I for the Pottawattomies — - 



166 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

FOURTH CHIEF 

I am chief of the Ottawas. 

FIFTH CHIEF 

I, of the Winnebagoes. 

FIRST CHIEF 

Brother, we support the words of Tecumseh, 
and the words of Olliwachica, the Prophet. 

OTHER CHIEFS 

Aye! 

HARRISON 

Sternly. 

Tecumseh, this thing must be stopped. Your 
brother pretends he is a prophet, but he speaks 
the words of the devil and gives bad advice to 
you all. Tecumseh, I command you to break up 
your town, and send your warriors home. 

TECUMSEH 

Brother, you speak with pride of the union of 
your Seventeen Fires. If it is good for you to 
unite, why is it not good for us ? Brother, I will 
allow no tribe to sell any land north of the Ohio. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 167 

That shall be the dividing line. Brother, no white 
man shall cross it. We are determined to resist. 

HARRISON 

My children, if you make war upon us you will 
bring on your own destruction. Our warriors 
will come from the Seventeen Fires — as many 
as the grains of sand on the Wabash. Brothers, 
the land we purchased from the Miamis belongs 
to us by right, and you may be sure that the Great 
Father of all our Fires will sustain that right by 
the sword. 

Tecumseh turns quickly to Indians and 
speaks a few words in Indian tongue 
with angry voice and violent gestures. 
Winnemac creeps to Harrison. 

WINNEMAC 

Aside. 
Brother! He is commanding them to attack 



you ! 



Harrison draws his sword. Judges 
draw pistols and cock them. Winne- 
mac lifts his tomahawk. Citizens 
draw hunting knives. A preacher 



168 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

runs into the governor's house and 
comes out with a gun; stands in door 
to protect women of household, who 
are seen in doorway. Tecumseh 
seems to give a violent order. War- 
riors lift tomahawks and war-clubs 
and turn toward Harrison, their eyes 
fixed on him; they are about to ad- 
vance when Captain Floyd enters 
with his troops. They raise guns to 
fire. Harrison steps in front of them 
and lifts his hand. 

HARRISON 

No ! Do not fire ! Tecumseh, I command you 
to give me an explanation of your conduct. 

Tecumseh turns to Indians and speaks 
a few words. They drop weapons, 
but show anger. He turns to Har- 
rison. 

TECUMSEH 

Coldly. 

I was telling my warriors that your words were 
false. I said that you and your Seventeen Fires 
had cheated us and imposed upon every tribe. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 169 

HARRISON 

Tecumseh, I will hold no further communica- 
tion with you. You have come here under the 
protection of a council-fire, so you may return in 
safety. But you must leave Vincennes at once 
— you and all your braves. 

There is silence for a moment; Tecum- 
seh looks at Harrison steadily, then 
speaks with rising passion. 

TECUMSEH 

Hear my last words, white men! You think 
you can ruin my people — you think you can starve 
us and kill us, till not even a papoose is left. But 
the Great Spirit has not forgotten us. He looks 
down upon us in pity. He weeps for us and our 
misery. He commands us to live in the lands of 
our fathers — to hunt in the grounds that are ours. 
Do you think we will not heed him? White 
Chief — I warn you to look to your own wig- 
wams ! I warn you to watch and prepare ! 

Exeunt with braves. 
Curtain 



ACT III— EPISODE II 
Characters 

OLLIWACHICA, THE PROPHET 
FIRST WOMAN FOURTH WOMAN 

SECOND WOMAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN 

THIRD WOMAN WARRIORS 

Time — 1811, November 7, between midnight 
and dawn. 

Place — Low hill near the Prophet's town. 

Scene — On top of hill is a small tepee, highly 
ornamented with symbols. A large fire burning 
close by casts a red light upon it. At foot of hill, 
in darkness, is a mass of waiting warriors. They 
gaze up at tepee in silence. Indian women and 
children huddle together at one side. They also 
gaze at tepee in silence. Pause. Suddenly a drum 
is heard from within tepee, faintly. 

WARRIORS 

Olliwachica ! Olliwachica ! 
170 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 171 

FIRST WOMAN 

Whispering. 

The Great Spirit has come to Olliwachica, the 
Prophet ! 

SECOND WOMAN 

Aye! He speaks to him through the drum! 
And softly he speaks — as though he would coun- 
sel peace to the warriors. 

Drum heard louder. 

THIRD WOMAN 

Nay, 'tis not peace — he speaks louder now. 

OTHER WOMEN 

Softly. 
Nay! 

FOURTH WOMAN 

If the Spirit speaks fast it is war! 

OTHER WOMEN 

Softly. 

Aye! 

Drum is silent. 



172 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

FIRST WOMAN 

'T would be strange if the Spirit commanded 
war while Tecumseh is away. 

SECOND WOMAN 

Tecumseh forbade the warriors to attack the 
white chief until he came back from the South. 

THIRD WOMAN 

But the white chief is here with his army, here, 
near our own town! The Great Spirit may be 
angered. 

FOURTH WOMAN 

He will be angered — he will take revenge — he 
will command the Prophet to fight. Listen — you 
will hear ! 

Pause of complete silence. Suddenly 
drum is beaten violently. Warriors 
show excitement. 

WARRIORS 

Olliwachica ! Olliwachica ! 

Drum is silent. Enter from tepee the 
Prophet. His sinister face is lighted 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 173 

by fire. He lifts his arms and sings 
in a melodious voice. 



Singing, 



PROPHET 

"In this circle, 
O ye warriors, 
Lo, I tell you, 
Each his future. 
All shall be 
As I now reveal it 
In this circle, 
Hear ye !" 

WARRIORS 

Olliwachica ! Tell us ! Tell us ! 

PROPHET 



The Great Spirit is in me — He speaks to you 
in my voice. He commands you to attack the 
white men. You are to take them by surprise 
this night and slay them as they sleep in their 
tents. A bright light will shine upon them, but 
you shall be clothed in black. Their bullets shall 
fall from you — their powder shall not burn. 



174 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

They shall fall like the leaves of autumn — not 
one of you shall be killed! 



warriors 
Olliwachica ! Olliwachica ! 

PROPHET 



In ecstasy. 



Holding up string of beads. 

Behold a charm I have made! 'Tis cut from 
my flesh — 'tis made of my flesh — 'twill keep 
evil spirits away from you until the last white 
man is dead ! I hold it now in my hands as I will 
hold it while you strike. 

Holds chain in hands for a moment; 
cries out in frenzy. 

Ai ya he ye! It drips out blood through my 
fingers! 'Tis the blood from the white man's 
scalp! I see it flowing — flowing — 

Shrieks in frenzy; sways body. 

Ai ya he ye ! Ai ya he ye ! 

WARRIORS 

Swaying bodies excitedly. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 175 

Ai ya he ye ! Ai ya he ye ! 

Prophet dances around fire, bending 
and twisting his body, and singing. 

PROPHET 

Singing. 
"Let it fly — the arrow, 
Let it fly — the arrow. 
Pierce to the heart of the man, oh ! 
Let it fly — the arrow." 

WARRIORS 

Dancing war-dance; singing. 

"Let it fly — the arrow, 
Let it fly — the arrow. 
Pierce to the heart of the man, oh! 
Let it fly — the arrow." 
Prophet claps his hands together 
sharply. There is quiet at once. 

PROPHET 

Tis time to creep upon the foe! Go! And 
know that not a bullet shall touch you! Know 
that I, OlHwachica, have charmed you! Go si- 



176 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

lently — go swiftly, and strike with hearts full of 
hate! Go! 

Warriors glide away silently. Women 
watch, motionless. 

Curtain 
motion tableau 

Camp of General Harrison's army is seen — the 
tents and sleeping men lighted by bright fire. A 
sentry paces back and forth. It is very quiet. 
Suddenly the rattle of deer hoofs is heard; shots 
are fired; and pickets appear, retreating back- 
ward, firing as they come. Some fall, wounded 
or killed. Soldiers rush from tents fully dressed 
and armed. General Harrison comes from his 
tent, followed by certain officers. He motions to 
soldiers to put out fire. As they are doing this, 
Indians are heard yelling, just off. They rush 
into camp with lifted tomahawks and clubs. Fire 
is put out — battle is fought in darkness. 

Curtain 



ACT III— EPISODE III 
Characters 

PROPHET FIRST GIRL 

FIRST WOMAN SECOND GIRL 

SECOND WOMAN FIRST WARRIOR 

THIRD WOMAN SECOND WARRIOR 

FOURTH WOMAN THIRD WARRIOR 

FIFTH WOMAN FOURTH WARRIOR 
WARRIORS, WOMEN, CHILDREN 

Time — Dawn. 

Place — Same. 

Scene — At curtain, noise of battle is heard in 
distance — musketry and yells of Indians. Prophet 
stands on hill singing battle song. 

SONG 

"There where'er the lightnings strike, 
Into the ground, they hurl the foe — 
White men folk with evil charm — 
One upon another dashed to earth — " 

Enter an Indian woman, running. 
177 



178 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

WOMAN 

Olliwachica ! Olliwachica ! Some of our braves 
have fallen! 

PROPHET 

They will rise up again — I will charm them to 
life. Go tell the warriors my words. 

Woman runs out. Prophet mutters 
charms, bending and twisting his 
body. Pause. Enter second woman, 
running. 

SECOND WOMAN 

Olliwachica! Olliwachica! More of our 
braves have fallen! 

PROPHET 

They will soon rise and fight. Go tell the war- 
riors that I am saying my charms. 

Second woman runs out. Pause. 
Prophet saying charms with fury. 
Enter several women and girls. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 179 

ALL 

Olliwachica ! Olliwachica ! 

PROPHET 

Have the fallen braves come to life? 

THIRD WOMAN 

Nay, the old men are digging their graves. 

A GIRL 

My father — a chief — is dead! 

ANOTHER GIRL 

My brother fell at the first ! 

FOURTH WOMAN 

My son was killed by their bullets ! 

All wailing. 

prophet 

Crossly. 

Stop your wailing! Stop! You will spoil my 
charms. Return to the battle-field, squaws. You 



180 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

will see your loved ones risen, and fighting as 
before. 

As women turn to go, other women 
enter, running. It grozvs lighter. 

FIFTH WOMAN 

Olliwachica ! The warriors flee from the white 
men! 

PROPHET 

What say you ? They flee ? 

FIFTH WOMAN 

Aye, all those that live. 

PROPHET 

You have spoiled my charms with your wail- 
ing. 

Enter warriors, hastily. They are sullen 
and dejected. 

FIRST WARRIOR 

Go to the village, women ! Bring all you can 
carry ! We flee at once to the swamps ! 

Women go, running. 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 181 

SECOND WARRIOR 

To Prophet. 
Come down from the hilltop, you maker of lies ! 

OTHERS 

Angrily. 
Come down ! Come down, Olliwachica ! 

Prophet descends slowly and with fear. 

PROPHET 

L Why do you flee, my children ? 

FIRST WARRIOR 

Should we stay to see every warrior killed ? 

SECOND WARRIOR 

Sneering. 

The bullets would not harm us, you said ! Your( 
charms would give light to our eyes ! 

THIRD WARRIOR 

And all was darkness, and our warriors fell 
from the first. 



182 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

OTHERS 

r Angrily. 
Aye! 

PROPHET 

The women spoiled my charms. They came to 
me here and wailed. 

FIRST WARRIOR 

Speak no more of your lies! You have de- 
ceived us for many moons. 'Twould be only just 
if we killed you. 
Aye! 

They approach him with threatening 
gestures. 

PROPHET 

Showing fear. 

I believed what I said — I believed the power 
was in me — I believed the Great Spirit spoke — 

FIRST WARRIOR 

You have ruined all our hopes! You have 
ruined Tecumseh's plans ! You urged us to battle 
with charms — you urged us unprepared ! 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 183 

SECOND WARRIOR 

You have made a plain path through our last 
hunting-ground for the white men to walk upon ! 

THIRD WARRIOR 

And now they will come like the tides of the 
sea. No longer can we resist them. 

FOURTH WARRIOR 

With strange tribes we must dwell, and live 
where they may permit us; and starve if it be 
their pleasure. 

FIRST WARRIOR 

Our day is done in this beautiful land of the 
Wabash. No more shall our eyes behold the deep 
and shining Ohio. 

OTHERS 

Sadly. 
No more — no more — 

FIRST WARRIOR 

Fiercely to Prophet. 
You shall die, you evil one ! 



184 ROMANTIC INDIANA 

Lifts tomahawk and starts toward 
Prophet, who trembles with fear. 
Other Indians seize and hold him. 
First warrior is about to strike. 
Sound of drum and fife heard in dis- 
tance. Enter women and children 
with bundles. Braves throw Prophet 
to ground with violence, and flee. 
Women follow. Prophet rising with 
difficulty. Drum and fife heard 
nearer. Prophet flees. Drum and 
fife heard just off — playing an Amer- 
ican air. Dark change discloses a 
tableau. General Harrison is seen 
seated on a magnificent black horse, 
preceded by the color bearer with an 
American flag, and followed by his 
troops in battle array, grim pioneer 
fighters all. 



Final Curtain 



ROMANTIC INDIANA 185 

TABLEAUX 

I 

Constitutional Convention 

Delegates are seen signing papers for state- 
hood. They are all splendid types of brave pio- 
neer citizens of Indiana. 

II 

A Pioneer Home 

Interior of log cabin is seen. A barefooted boy 
is reading by light from log fire in fireplace. The 
boy is Abraham Lincoln. 

Ill 

Underground Railway 

A Quaker and his wife are seen hiding two 
slave girls. Enter slave hunters, sheriff and a 
crowd of ruffians in pursuit. 

IV 

Union Troops of Civil War 

Governor Morton is seen reviewing Indiana 
soldiers. 

V 

Present and Future 

Indiana mother holds a baby up to majestic 
figures of Education, Justice and Peace. 



